Ion implant indicia for cover glass or display component

TECHNICAL FIELD

0001This subject matter of this disclosure relates generally to cover glass and display components for electronic devices, including portable and stationary electronics applications. In particular, the disclosure relates to indicia and other markings on such cover glass or display components, suitable for use on smartphones, tablet computers, personal digital assistants, media players, displays, and other digital devices.

BACKGROUND

0002Digital devices typically include a variety of different display and cover glass components, including front and back cover glasses with indicia such as serial numbers, trademarks, control feature labels, and other identifying markings. These indicia raise a number of different design considerations, including clarity, visibility, intelligibility, durability, and stability over periods of extended use, and across a wide range of environmental conditions and operational demands.

0003These considerations can be particularly relevant in personal electronics and mobile device applications, where shock, impact, scratching, abrasion and other effects pose a variety of different design and engineering challenges. New technologies are required to address these concerns, without suffering from the drawbacks of existing pigment and deposition-based indicia designs.

SUMMARY

0004This disclosure relates to indicia for cover glass and display components, with application to digital electronic devices. In various examples and embodiments, an aluminum oxide ceramic is formed into a sapphire component for an electronic device. The sapphire component may have first and second major surfaces, with indicia embedded into one or both.

0005The indicia may be embedded by ion implantation, where ions are fixed in a subsurface pattern layer located between the first and second major surfaces of the sapphire component. The subsurface pattern layer defines the indicia by altering an optical or chromatic property of the aluminum oxide material.

0006The sapphire component may be assembled into the electronic device with the indicia visible from an exterior surface. The sapphire component may define a cover glass for the device, and the indicia may define a serial number.

0007The ions fixed into the subsurface pattern layer may be selected from a group consisting of boron, magnesium, titanium, chromium, iron, and copper, and the subsurface pattern layer may define the indicia by changing a color of the aluminum oxide ceramic. The aluminum oxide ceramic may be substantially transparent, absent the subsurface pattern layer defining the indicia.

0008The sapphire component may be formed with a substantially single crystal plane orientation between the first and second major surfaces. The sapphire component may also form a control surface for the electronic device, and the indicia may include an identifier for the control surface.

0009In additional examples and embodiments, a sapphire component for an electronic device includes a substantially single crystal aluminum oxide ceramic material, which defines the sapphire component between opposing major surfaces. Indicia may be embedded into a selected surface of the sapphire component, for example by fixing ions into a subsurface pattern layer defined within the sapphire component, beneath the selected surface. The subsurface pattern layer defines the indicia by altering a chromatic property of the ceramic, so that the indicia are visible within the subsurface layer.

0010The ions fixed into the subsurface pattern layer may be selected from boron, titanium and chromium. For example, the ceramic may comprise corundum and the selected ions may comprise chromium, so that the subsurface pattern layer defines a ruby material within the corundum ceramic. Alternatively, the aluminum oxide ceramic may comprise chromium, so that the subsurface pattern layer defines the indicia in a ruby material.

0011A mobile device may be assembled with the sapphire component as a cover glass, for example in combination with a display, and the indicia may identify the device manufacturer. Alternatively, a device may be assembled with a digital display and sapphire cover glass component formed of a substantially single crystal aluminum oxide ceramic.

0012Indicia may be embedded into the sapphire cover glass, visible from the exterior surface, for example by implanting ions into a subsurface pattern layer in which the ions alter a chromatic property of the ceramic. The ions implanted into the subsurface pattern layer may be selected from a group of metals, and different metal ions can be implanted to define the indicia with a plurality of different colors in the pattern layer.

0013A smartphone can also be assembled from the device. For example, the digital display may include a touchscreen for operation of the smartphone, and the indicia may identify the smartphone make, model or manufacturer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

0014<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> is a perspective view of an electronic device configured for personal communications, showing the front cover glass and display.

0015<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2A</figref> is a rear perspective view of the device, showing the back cover glass.

0016<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2B</figref> is an alternate view of the electronic device, with the back cover glass in a different configuration.

0017<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> is a front perspective view of the electronic device, in a media player or tablet computer embodiment.

0018<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> is a block diagram illustrating internal and external features of the device.

0019<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5A</figref> is a cross-sectional view of the device.

0020<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5B</figref> is a schematic illustration of a cover glass for the device, with ion implanted indicia.

0021<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> is block diagram illustrating a method for forming ion implanted indicia in a cover glass, display or control component for an electronic device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

0022<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> is a perspective view of electronic device <b>10</b>, in a communications embodiment. As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, device <b>10</b> includes front cover or cover glass <b>12</b>A with display window <b>14</b> and housing assembly <b>16</b>, as configured for a mobile phone or smartphone application. Alternatively, device <b>10</b> may be configured as a media player, digital assistant, tablet computer, personal computer, computer display, or other electronic device, in either portable or stationary form. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 2A and 2B</figref> are rear perspective views of device <b>10</b>, showing alternate configurations for back glass <b>12</b>B and housing <b>16</b>.

0023In the particular example of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, front cover glass <b>12</b>A and rear cover glass <b>12</b>B are coupled to top and bottom housing components <b>16</b>A and <b>16</b>B of housing assembly <b>16</b> via a bezel or frame assembly <b>18</b>. One or both of front and rear cover glass components <b>12</b>A and <b>12</b>B may also incorporate an aluminum oxide, sapphire crystal, or sapphire glass material, with indicia <b>19</b> formed by ion implantation, as described below.

0024Display window <b>14</b> is typically configured for viewing a touch screen or other display component through cover glass <b>12</b>A, with viewable area defined between border regions <b>15</b>. Depending on configuration, display window <b>14</b> may also accommodate one or more interactive control features, for example a touch screen with a combination of internal or external components for capacitive or resistive coupling across the front surface of cover glass <b>12</b>A.

0025Cover glasses <b>12</b>A and <b>12</b>B may also accommodate additional control and accessory features, including, but not limited to, a home button or other control device <b>20</b>, and one or more audio (e.g., speaker or microphone) features <b>22</b>, sensors or cameras <b>24</b>A and <b>24</b>B, and lighting or indicator features <b>26</b> (e.g., a flash unit or light emitting diode). Depending on design, additional glass or sapphire based components may also be provided for control and accessory features <b>20</b>, <b>22</b>, <b>24</b>A/B and <b>26</b>, for example a separate cover glass element <b>12</b>C for camera <b>24</b>B in back cover glass <b>12</b>B.

0026Housing <b>16</b> and frame <b>18</b> are typically formed of metal, composites, and durable polymer materials, including metals and metal alloys such as aluminum and stainless steel, durable plastics, and carbon-based or fiber/matrix composites. Housing <b>16</b> and frame <b>18</b> may either be provided in substantially unitary form, or as discrete components, for example with one or more top, bottom, side and back housing sections <b>16</b>A, <b>16</b>B, <b>16</b>C, and <b>16</b>D in combination with a unitary or multi-part bezel or frame assembly <b>18</b>.

0027Housing <b>16</b> and frame <b>18</b> can also be configured to accommodate additional accessory features, including, but not limited to, speaker or microphone apertures <b>28</b>, connector apertures <b>30</b> for power, audio, and data communications, mechanical fasteners <b>32</b>, and access ports <b>34</b>, e.g., for a subscriber identity module or SIM card, a flash memory device, or other internal component of electronic device <b>10</b>.

0028<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2A</figref> is a rear perspective view of electronic device <b>10</b>, with indicia <b>19</b> formed in one or more discrete inlay or inset components <b>12</b>D. Housing <b>16</b> is also provided in a multi-part configuration, with bottom housing <b>16</b>A, top housing <b>16</b>B, and side housing sections <b>16</b>C.

0029Depending on configuration, side housings <b>16</b>C may be coupled across middle plate <b>16</b>D to form the back surface of device <b>10</b>, between back glass insets <b>12</b>D, as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2A</figref>. Housing components <b>16</b>A, <b>16</b>B, and <b>16</b>C may be provided in either beveled or unbeveled form, and a separate cover glass element <b>12</b>C may be provided for back camera or sensor <b>24</b>B, as described above.

0030<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2B</figref> is a perspective view of electronic device <b>10</b>, showing back glass <b>12</b>B in a unitary configuration, with two-part housing assembly <b>16</b>A (bottom) and <b>16</b>B (top). As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 2A and 2B</figref>, unitary and multi-piece back glass components <b>12</b>B and <b>12</b>D may be variously configured to accommodate a range of different indicia <b>19</b>, control features <b>20</b>, and accessories including audio features <b>22</b>, camera or sensor <b>24</b>B, and a flash unit or lighting/indicator feature <b>26</b>. Device <b>10</b> may also accommodate additional control features, for example volume buttons <b>20</b>A and <b>20</b>B, ringer/mute switch <b>20</b>C, and hold button <b>20</b>D, as provided in any combination of cover glass components <b>12</b>A-<b>12</b>D and housing components <b>16</b>A-<b>16</b>D.

0031<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> is a front perspective view of electronic device <b>10</b> in an alternate embodiment, for example a media player, tablet computer, pad computer, or other computing device, or a computer monitor or display. As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref>, front glass <b>12</b>A is configured to accommodate display window <b>14</b>, indicia <b>19</b>, and accessory features including a hold button or other control device <b>20</b>. Housing assembly <b>16</b> may have a substantially unitary configuration, for example as formed together with the back cover of device <b>10</b>.

0032As illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref>, the various horizontal and vertical orientations of device <b>10</b> are arbitrary, and designations of the various front, back, top, bottom, and side components may be interchanged without loss of generality. Housing assembly <b>16</b> may be coupled to front glass <b>12</b>A with a substantially internal frame <b>18</b> or bezel member <b>18</b>A, or via in internal groove in unitary housing <b>16</b>, for example via an adhesive coupling. One or both of housing <b>16</b> and frame or bezel <b>18</b>A may be also formed of a plastic or other durable polymer material, rather than metal, or using metal, plastic polymer, composite materials, or a combination thereof.

0033<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> is a block diagram illustrating various internal and external components of electronic device <b>10</b>, including microprocessor/controller <b>42</b>, display <b>43</b>, an accelerometer or other motion sensor <b>44</b>, and additional accessories and control features <b>20</b>, <b>22</b>, <b>24</b>, and <b>26</b>. Device <b>10</b> encompasses a range of different portable and stationary electronic applications, as described in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1</figref>, <b>2</b>A, <b>2</b>B, and <b>3</b>, above, as well as hybrid devices including smartphones with media player capabilities, game players, remote global positioning and telecommunications devices, and laptop, desktop, notebook, handheld and ultraportable computer devices and displays.

0034As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>, controller <b>42</b> is electronically coupled to display <b>43</b>, an accelerometer or other motion sensor <b>44</b>, control devices <b>20</b>, and accessory features <b>22</b>, <b>24</b>, and <b>26</b>. Various hard-wired and wireless communication connections <b>46</b> may be provided to support one or more external accessories <b>47</b>, host devices <b>48</b>, and/or networks <b>49</b>.

0035Controller <b>42</b> includes microprocessor (μp) and memory components configured to execute a combination of operating system and application firmware and software, in order to control device <b>10</b> and provide various functionality including, but not limited to, voice communications, voice control, media playback and development, internet browsing, email, messaging, gaming, security, transactions, navigation, and personal assistant functions. Controller <b>42</b> may also include a communications interface or other input-output (IO) device configured to support connections <b>46</b> to one or more external accessories <b>47</b>, host devices <b>48</b>, and network systems <b>49</b>, including hard-wired, wireless, audio, visual, infrared (IR), and radio frequency (RF) communications.

0036Display <b>43</b> is viewable through front or rear cover glass <b>12</b>, within display window <b>14</b>. Cover glass <b>12</b> may also accommodate various different control features <b>20</b>, audio components <b>22</b>, camera, sensor or other accessory features <b>24</b>, and lighting or indicator features <b>26</b>, including, but not limited to, button and switch control features <b>20</b>A-<b>20</b>D, speaker and microphone features <b>22</b>, front and rear camera or sensor features <b>24</b>A and <b>24</b>B, and LED flash or lighting/indicator features <b>26</b>, as described above.

0037Cover glass <b>12</b> comprises one or more of front cover glass <b>12</b>A, back cover glass <b>12</b>B, lens cover or inset components <b>12</b>C and <b>12</b>D, or other components for electronic device <b>10</b>, as described above. Cover glass <b>12</b> is formed of a substantially single-crystal aluminum oxide, sapphire, or sapphire glass material, and provided with ion-implanted indicia <b>19</b> to improve clarity, visibility, intelligibility, durability, and stability over a range of different environmental conditions and operational demands, as described below, including increased persistence when exposed to shock, impact, scratching, abrasion, and other effects.

0038As used herein, the terms “glass” and “cover glass” are not limited to amorphous forms such as silica glass, but also encompass sapphire, sapphire glass, and other aluminum oxide ceramics, in either substantially single-crystal or polycrystalline form. The terms “sapphire” and “sapphire glass” encompass α-Al₂O₃and other aluminum oxide materials with varying amounts of trace elements and impurities, including sapphire, corundum, ruby, and ion impregnated or doped aluminum oxide ceramics and sapphire materials.

0039These definitions reflect usage in the art, in which cover glasses, front glasses, back glasses, glass inlays, glass insets, glass inserts, and other “glass” components may be provided in the form of silica glass, lead crystal, quartz, and other amorphous or polycrystalline forms. These definitions also reflect usage in this disclosure, where cover glasses and other “glass” components may be formed of aluminum oxide ceramics and sapphire materials, in either substantially single-crystal or polycrystalline (e.g., fused polycrystalline) form.

0040The term “substantially single crystal” encompasses both identically single-crystal and substantially single-crystal forms of sapphire material, as distinguished from amorphous and polycrystalline forms. The term “substantially single crystal” does not does not necessarily imply a fault-free construction, and may include some degree of localized inclusions and lamellar twinning, including crystal plane orientations in which such localized faults, inclusions, and lamellar twinning are present, but in which the same or substantially similar crystal plane orientation is expressed or extant across the structure of the component, or as defined between the first and second (e.g., interior and exterior) major surfaces of the component.

0041<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5A</figref> is a cross-sectional view of electronic device <b>10</b>, for example as taken along line A-A of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref>, or for any of the other devices <b>10</b> as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1</figref>, <b>2</b>A, <b>2</b>B and <b>4</b>. In this particular configuration, device <b>10</b> comprises front glass <b>12</b>A, back glass <b>12</b>B, and housing (or housing assembly) <b>16</b>, with internal components including controller <b>42</b>, display <b>43</b> and a battery or other power source <b>50</b>.

0042As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5A</figref>, front glass <b>12</b>A and back glass <b>12</b>B are coupled to sides <b>16</b>C of housing <b>16</b>, for example via mechanical attachment to frame <b>18</b>. Controller <b>42</b>, display <b>43</b> and battery <b>50</b> are disposed within the interior of device <b>10</b>, with front glass <b>12</b>A located in front of (or above) display <b>10</b>, and back glass <b>12</b>B located behind (or below) display <b>43</b>.

0043Display window <b>14</b> is defined as a substantially transparent feature in front glass <b>12</b>A, in order to observe the viewable area of display <b>43</b>. Border portions <b>15</b> may also be provided, for example via pigment layer <b>15</b>B on the bottom (interior) surface of cover glass <b>12</b>A, in order to define the boundaries of display window <b>14</b>. Back glass <b>12</b>B may also include one or more transparent display windows <b>14</b>, for example to accommodate an additional back-side display or indicator, or a camera or other sensor internal to electronic device <b>10</b>. Alternatively, one or both of back glass <b>12</b>A and <b>12</b>B may be substantially opaque.

0044In this particular configuration, indicia <b>19</b> are embedded into front glass <b>12</b>A of digital electronic device <b>10</b>, for example by ion implantation. Cover glass <b>12</b>A (or other sapphire component of device <b>10</b>) is formed of an aluminum oxide ceramic material, with first and second (e.g., top and bottom, or interior and exterior) major surfaces. Indicia <b>19</b> are embedded into at least one selected (e.g. exterior) major surface, by fixing metal ions into a subsurface pattern layer defined below the selected major surface.

0045Indicia <b>19</b> are generated in the subsurface layer by altering an optical property of the aluminum oxide material, for example an optical or chromatic property such as color, opacity or transparency. By embedding indicia <b>19</b> in a subsurface layer, below the selected major surface, the effects of abrasion, scratching, and other environmental actions are reduced or substantially eliminated, increasing visibility, clarity, durability, persistence and service life.

0046<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5B</figref> is a schematic illustration of indicia <b>19</b> as embedded in sapphire component <b>12</b>, for example a front or rear cover glass <b>12</b>A or <b>12</b>B, as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5A</figref>, or a lens cover <b>12</b>C or inset <b>12</b>D, or another sapphire or sapphire glass component for electronic device <b>10</b>, as described above. Sapphire component <b>12</b> is formed of a ceramic material, for example transparent aluminum oxide ceramic such as corundum, ruby or sapphire, with a substantially single crystal plane orientation extending through inner region <b>54</b> of component <b>12</b>, as defined between first and second major surfaces <b>56</b>A and <b>56</b>B. Pigment layer <b>15</b>B may be provided on one or both surfaces, for example second major surface <b>56</b><i>b</i>, opposite indicia <b>19</b> in first major surface <b>56</b>A. Alternatively, pigmentation layer <b>15</b>B may be absent.

0047Indicia <b>19</b> are formed by ion implantation or other process suitable to embed metal ions into interior <b>54</b> of sapphire component <b>12</b>. The ions are fixed into subsurface layer <b>58</b>, which extends for depth d beneath selected major surface <b>56</b>A. Subsurface layer <b>58</b> defines indicia <b>19</b> by altering the optical and chromatic properties of the transparent ceramic, so that the indicia are visible from selected major surface <b>56</b>A.

0048Depending on application, the ions fixed in the subsurface pattern layer are typically selected from a group of metals, for example boron, magnesium, titanium, chromium, iron, and copper. Selection is based on penetration, compatibility with the ceramic material, and the resulting optical and chromatic properties, including transparency, opacity and color.

0049For example, the ceramic may be substantially formed of an aluminum oxide-based corundum or clear sapphire material, and chromium, titanium, or iron ions may be selected to form indicia <b>19</b> as a blue sapphire or ruby colored material, visible within subsurface layer <b>58</b> through a substantially clear, transparent, and colorless interior material <b>54</b>. Alternatively, the ceramic may include chromium, titanium or iron to form a ruby or blue sapphire interior <b>54</b>, and indicia <b>19</b> may be defined with a complementary color or colors in subsurface layer <b>58</b>.

0050Sapphire component <b>12</b> may be assembled into a mobile device such as smartphone, tablet computer, media player or other digital device <b>10</b>, as described above, for example as a cover glass or control surface for a touch screen display, or a back glass component. In these applications, indicia <b>19</b> may identify a make, model, or manufacturer of the device, or provide a serial number or other identifying information.

0051Alternatively, sapphire component <b>12</b> may be configured as the control surface on a discrete control device, for example a control button or switch <b>20</b> or <b>20</b>A-<b>20</b>D. In these applications, indicia <b>19</b> may provide control information, such as a switch label or control indicator. In additional applications, sapphire component <b>12</b> may include an aperture for an accessory such as an audio device <b>22</b>, camera or sensor <b>24</b>A or <b>24</b>B, or lighting or indicator feature <b>26</b>, and indicia <b>19</b> may identify the corresponding function.

0052These techniques contrast with cosmetic artwork designs, which are applied to the front or back side of a cover glass by painting, screen printing, or particle vapor deposition (PVD). Ion implantation, in contrast, bombards component <b>12</b> with selected (e.g., metal) ions to embed such artwork and other indicia <b>19</b> into selected surface <b>56</b>A (or <b>56</b>B), so that the ions are permanently fixed in subsurface layer <b>58</b> of sapphire component <b>12</b>. Different ions (e.g., titanium, chromium, boron, etc.) are selected to generate different degrees of clarity or color in interior region <b>54</b>, and can be used to alter the appearance of subsurface layer <b>58</b> to define indicia <b>19</b>, visible through selected surface <b>56</b>A of the cover glass or other component <b>12</b>.

0053Overall, ion implantation combined with a sapphire cover glass or other ceramic component <b>12</b> can be used to generate cosmetic features, design artwork and other indicia <b>19</b> that are robust to environmental conditions, because indicia <b>19</b> are defined in subsurface layer <b>58</b>, and protected from abrasion, scratching, temperature extremes, and other effects. Indicia <b>19</b> may also include serial numbers and other identification marks, as described above, in order to indicate the make, model, design, and manufacture date of the device.

0054<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> is a block diagram illustrating method <b>60</b> for forming a cover glass or other sapphire component for an electronic device, with embedded indicia. As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref>, method <b>60</b> comprises one or more steps of forming an aluminum oxide based ceramic material (step <b>61</b>), shaping a component from the ceramic (step <b>62</b>), embedding indicia into the component (step <b>63</b>), and assembling the component into a digital electronic device (step <b>64</b>).

0055Forming the ceramic material (step <b>61</b>) may comprise sintering and fusing aluminum oxide (alumina; Al₂O₃or α-Al₂O₃) in an inert atmosphere, in order to produce a substantially single crystal transparent ceramic, for example a sapphire, ruby or corundum boule. Typical synthesis processes include, but are not limited to, Verneuil processes, Czochralski processes, and flux methods. Alternatively, a polycrystalline or laminated sapphire material may be utilized.

0056Color may be selected (step <b>65</b>) by including particular elements for inclusion in the ceramic, for example metals such as boron, magnesium, titanium, chromium, iron, and copper, in order to generate particular colors or hues of red, blue, yellow, pink, purple, orange or green. Depending upon color selection, the interior of the component may be referred to as clear sapphire or corundum, blue sapphire, ruby, or a special color. Heat treatment can also be utilized to enhance or modify the color selection.

0057Shaping the component (step <b>62</b>) comprises cutting, drilling, milling or machining the ceramic (e.g., using industrial diamond tools) to form the selected component, for example a cover glass, lens cover, inset, or other component <b>12</b>A, <b>12</b>B, <b>12</b>C, or <b>12</b>D, as described above. Generally, the interior of the selected component is defined between major opposing (e.g., interior and exterior) surfaces, and in some configurations the sapphire material may be laminated.

0058Depending on application, one or more apertures may also be formed in the component, in order to accommodate one or more control or accessory features <b>20</b>, <b>20</b>A-<b>20</b>D, <b>22</b>, <b>24</b>, <b>24</b>A, <b>24</b>B, and <b>26</b>. Alternatively, the component may be formed as a control surface for a touchscreen, or as discrete control device <b>20</b> or <b>20</b>A-<b>20</b>D.

0059Embedding the indicia (step <b>63</b>) comprises implanting or fixing the ions into a subsurface layer or pattern. The subsurface layer defines the indicia by transforming an optical or chromatic property of the ceramic material, for example color, transparency, or opacity. The indicia are visible within the subsurface layer, through the selected surface of the component.

0060Embedding the indicia may be performed by ion implantation (step <b>66</b>), or other suitable process. In ion implantation, selected metal ions are accelerated in an electric field, and directed to a selected surface of the component. Typical acceleration voltages are in the range of about 10 kV to about 500 kV, corresponding to penetration depths (and subsurface layer thicknesses t) of a few nm to about 200-300 nm or more, for example up to about 1 μm, depending on ionization number and mass.

0061Different metal ions may be selected (step <b>67</b>), based on desired penetration depth and compatibility with the ceramic material. Ions may also be selected based on the resulting optical and chromatic properties, as compared to the corresponding properties of the original ceramic material.

0062Assembly (step <b>65</b>) comprises assembling the component into an electronic device, for example a mobile phone, smartphone, computing device, or other mobile or stationary electronic device <b>10</b>, as described above. The insignia may identify a make, model, or manufacture of the device, or provide a serial number, artwork, industrial design work, or other identifying information.

0063While this invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. In addition, modifications may be made to adapt the teachings of the invention to particular situations and materials, without departing from the essential scope thereof. Thus, the invention is not limited to the particular examples that are disclosed herein, but encompasses all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.