Diffusion of nanoparticles into transparent plastic

Abstract

A method of preparing an optical element made of a transparent plastic with embedded or firmly bound nanoparticles, the method comprising: a) exposing the optical element to nanoparticles and to a liquid that causes the nanoparticles to diffuse into or become firmly bound to the optical element; and b) maintaining the optical element and the liquid at a range of pressures greater than one atmosphere, and at a range of diffusion temperatures greater than the boiling point of the liquid at one atmosphere, while the liquid remains in a liquid state, for a time interval, while the nanoparticles diffuse into or firmly bind to the optical element.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.