A system and process for making a thin, soot particle or glass sheet is provided. The system includes a soot deposition plate having a deposition surface and a glass soot generating device spaced from the deposition surface along a first axis. The glass soot generating device is configured to generate glass soot particles and to deliver the glass soot particles through an outlet and on to the deposition surface in a layer having a thickness of less than 5 mm. At least one of the soot deposition plate and the glass soot generating device is movable to cause relative movement between the deposition surface of the soot deposition plate and the glass soot generating device. A thin soot or sintered soot sheet is also provided. The soot sheet has a variable surface topography that varies along at least two axes.