Variable refractive index thin films

Abstract

A method of forming a variable refractive index thin film includes forming a coating including a tin (II) halide precursor and a liquid solvent, where the composition and/or concentration of the liquid solvent may vary spatially over one or more lateral dimension(s) of the coating. Annealing at elevated temperature may induce densification of the coating and the formation of a thin film having a variable refractive index. Local variability in the refractive index may be correlated to the location oxidation state of tin within the thin film, which may be related to the conformation of the liquid solvent.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.