Directionally dependent optical features apparatus and method
AssigneeLawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
InventorsAnna M. Hiszpanski, Joshua D. Kuntz, Eric Meshot, Kerry G. Krauter, Elaine Lee, Andrew J. Pascall, Marcus A. Worsley
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Abstract
Directionally dependent optical effects are produced from faceted micrometer-scale substructures. The directionally dependent optical effects can appear as one specific color when viewed from one direction and another specific color when flipped and viewed from the opposing direction. The directionally dependent optical effects may appear reflective or transmissive from one direction and antireflective or opaque when flipped around.
Claims24
An apparatus comprising a faceted structure having directionally dependent optical features, comprising:
- a first plurality of facets substantially facing a first direction, wherein said first plurality of facets includes facets having a first length dimension that is larger than a target wavelength of interest directed at said faceted structure;
- a second plurality of facets substantially facing a second direction different from said first direction, wherein said second plurality of facets includes facets having a second length dimension that is larger than said target wavelength of interest;
- and
- means for producing, from said faceted structure, at least one directionally dependent optical effect of said target wavelength of interest that (a) depends on a direction from which said faceted structure is viewed and (b) is independent of a precise specification or control of a viewing angle from which said faceted structure is viewed from said direction, regardless of whether said direction is said first direction or said second direction,
- wherein said faceted structure is stretchable to flatten said faceted structure and cause a change in the at least one directionally dependent optical effect.
A method, comprising;
- providing a faceted structure having directionally dependent optical features, comprising:
- a first plurality of facets substantially facing a first direction, wherein said first plurality of facets includes facets having a first length dimension that is larger than a target wavelength of interest directed at said faceted structure;
- a second plurality of facets substantially facing a second direction different from said first direction, wherein said second plurality of facets includes facets having a second length dimension that is larger than said target wavelength of interest;
- and
- means for producing from said faceted structure at least one directionally dependent optical effect of said target wavelength of interest that (a) depends on a direction from which said faceted structure is viewed and (b) is independent of a precise specification or control of a viewing angle from which said faceted structure is viewed from said direction, regardless of whether said direction is said first direction or said second direction, wherein said faceted structure is stretchable to flatten said faceted structure and cause a change in the at least one directionally dependent optical effect;
- and
- directing said target wavelength of interest at said faceted structure.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.