2.75cm x 2cm
Multiple ultra-thin layers of different metals (gold silver), metal oxides
(titanium,chromium,aluminium,zirconium,magnesium) and silica are vaporised by an
electron beam in a vacuum chamber. The vapour then condenses on the surface of
the glass in the form of a crystal structure. This is sometimes followed by a
protective layer of quartz crystal.The finished glass can have as many as 30 to 50
layers of these materials yet the thickness of the total coating is approximately 30 to
35 millionths of an inch (about 760 to 890 nm). The coating that is created is very
similar to a gemstone and, by careful control of thickness, different colours are
obtained.