Method of manufacturing an optical device and resulting optical device
AssigneeMorrow N.V.
InventorsPaul Marchal, Jelle De Smet, Wilbert Eduard Marie Lips
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An optical device (1), comprising: —a first optical transparent thermoplastic layer (2); —a second optical transparent thermoplastic layer (3), and; in between both thermoplastic layers (2, 3); • a diffractive optical element (4) adjacent to the first thermoplastic layer (2), • a spacer (5) in between the diffractive optical element (4) and the second thermoplastic layer (3), and; • a border (6) enclosing the diffractive optical element (4) thereby forming a sealed cavity (7); wherein at least an upper part of the border (6), adjacent to the cavity (7) is formed from an adhesive (15).
Claims22
A method of manufacturing an optical device comprising a pair of a first and second optically transparent electrodes at opposite sides of a cavity filled with a liquid crystalline material, the cavity being laterally enclosed by a border, wherein the first and second optically transparent electrodes are respectively present on a first and a second optically transparent layer, wherein the first optically transparent electrode is positioned in between the first optically transparent layer and a diffractive optical element, wherein at least one spacer is present in the cavity between the diffractive optical element and the second optically transparent layer, the method comprising:
- providing the first optically transparent layer;
- forming the first optically transparent electrode on the first optically transparent layer;
- forming by nanoimprint on the first optically transparent electrode, the diffractive optical element and the at least one spacer on top of the diffractive optical element, wherein the diffractive optical element is arranged at an inside of the border, the border therewith enclosing the diffractive optical element;
- applying an adhesive so as to constitute at least an upper part of the border, wherein an inner edge of the adhesive is in direct contact with the cavity;
- providing the second optically transparent layer such that the second optically transparent layer closes the cavity, and wherein the second optically transparent layer on which the second optically transparent electrode is formed, is attached to the adhesive;
- filling the cavity with the liquid crystalline material;
- and
- sealing the cavity.
An optical device comprising a pair of a first and second optically transparent electrodes at opposite sides of a sealed cavity filled with liquid crystalline material, the sealed cavity being laterally enclosed by a border, wherein the first and second optically transparent electrodes are respectively present on a first and a second optically transparent layer, wherein the first optically transparent electrode is positioned in between the first optically transparent layer and a diffractive optical element, wherein at least one spacer is present on top of the diffractive optical element and in the sealed cavity between the diffractive optical element and the second optically transparent layer, wherein the diffractive optical element is laterally enclosed by the border,
- wherein:
- the diffractive optical element, the at least one spacer and a bottom part of the border are present in a layer that is patterned by nanoimprinting and is present on the first optically transparent electrode, and
- an upper part of the border comprises an adhesive that is in direct contact with the sealed cavity, wherein
- the second optically transparent layer closes the sealed cavity, and
- the second optically transparent layer on which the second optically transparent electrode is formed, is attached to the adhesive.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.