Control of light scattering with nanoparticles and/or coatings
AssigneeNanoclear Technologies Inc.
InventorsHarold Frank GREER, Ryan Morrow BRIGGS, Sihan SHEN, Scott S. HARRIED, Tony LEE, Raymond LOBATON, Vahid MIRKHANI
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The optical scattering response of a textured substrate is altered by the addition of one or more layers of nanoparticles and/or coatings. The nanoparticles and/or coatings have a refractive index that is comparable, or higher, than the refractive index of the substrate. The scattering cross section of the substrate is reduced by partially or completely filling gaps in the substrate. A material having a hazy appearance to visible light is therefore rendered more transparent by the addition of nanoparticles.
Claims31
A structure comprising:
- a substrate transparent to electromagnetic radiation within a wavelength range, the substrate comprising a plurality of three dimensional structures and having a first refractive index;
- and
- a plurality of nanoparticles on the substrate, the plurality of nanoparticles having a second refractive index, wherein the plurality of nanoparticles is configured to reduce or to increase scattering of light transmitted through or from the substrate.
A structure comprising:
- a substrate transparent to electromagnetic radiation within a wavelength range, the substrate comprising a plurality of three dimensional structures and having a first refractive index;
- and
- a coating on the substrate, the coating having a second refractive index or effective refractive index, wherein the coating is configured to reduce or to increase the scattering of light transmitted through or from the substrate.
A method comprising:
- providing a substrate transparent to electromagnetic radiation within a wavelength range, the substrate having a first refractive index;
- depositing a first plurality of nanoparticles on the substrate in a pattern;
- and
- etching a plurality of three dimensional scatterers on the substrate using the first plurality of nanoparticles as a mask.
A method comprising:
- providing a substrate transparent to electromagnetic radiation within a wavelength range, the substrate comprising a plurality of three dimensional scatterers and having a first refractive index;
- selecting a material for a first plurality of nanoparticles having a second refractive index, the second refractive index being equal to or higher than the first refractive index;
- and
- depositing at least one layer of the first plurality of nanoparticles on the substrate, the depositing comprising partial or complete filling of empty spaces in the substrate, thereby reducing or increasing scattering of the electromagnetic radiation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.