# US 7,412,131 B2 · Multilayer optic device and system and method for making same > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,412,131 B2 - Document ID: US7412131B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 11/619,009 - Filed: 2007-01-02 - Published: 2008-07-03 - Granted: 2008-08-12 - Earliest claimed: 2007-01-02 - Assignees: General Electric Company - Inventors: Susanne Madeline Lee; Forrest Frank Hopkins - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7412131B2 ## CPC - G21K 1/06: using diffraction, refraction or reflection, e.g. monochromators (G21K1/10, G21K7/00 take precedence) - G21K: HANDLING OF PARTICLES OR IONISING RADIATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; IRRADIATION DEVICES; GAMMA RAY OR X-RAY MICROSCOPES ## Abstract An optic device, system and method for making are described. The optic device includes a first solid phase layer having a first index of refraction with a first photon transmission property and a second solid phase layer having a second index of refraction with a second photon transmission property. The first and second layers are conformal to each other. The optic device may be fabricated by vapor depositing a first layer and then vapor depositing a second layer thereupon. The first layer may be deposited onto a blank or substrate. The blank or substrate may be rotated during deposition. Further, a computer-controlled shutter may be used to alter the deposition rate of material along an axis of the optic device. Alternatively, the optic device may be moved at varying speeds through a vapor stream to alter the deposition rate of material. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An optic device for transmitting photons, comprising at least three conformal solid phase layers, wherein interfaces between said solid phase layers are gapless and wherein said at least three conformal solid phase layers include at least two photon redirection regions for redirecting and transmitting the photons through total internal reflection. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The optic device of claim 1, wherein said at least three solid phase layers comprise alternating indices of refraction. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The optic device of claim 1, wherein said at least three solid phase layers are comprised of two or more materials. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The optic device of claim 2, wherein each said photon redirection region is formed to redirect the photons into a quasi-parallel beam, a slightly focused beam, a highly focused beam, a slightly diverging beam, a highly diverging beam, or a beam with a curved transverse profile. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The optic device of claim 4, wherein each said photon redirection region comprises a plurality of redirecting segments, each said redirecting segment having a constant curvature. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The optic device of claim 5, wherein a plurality of said solid phase layers comprise a photon redirection region, each said photon redirection region having a composite curvature. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The optic device of claim 6, wherein said composite curvatures of each of said photon redirection regions differ. ### Claim 8 (depends on 2) The optic device of claim 2, wherein centers of curvature for each photon redirection region are located along one or more axes. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The optic device of claim 1, comprising an input face for receiving the photons and an output face through which the photons exit the optic device. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The optic device of claim 9, configured to transmit photons with energies above 1 keV. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The optic device of claim 9, configured to transmit polychromatic radiation. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The optic device of claim 1, wherein each said photon redirection region is configured to redirect a photon beam selected from the group consisting of a quasi-parallel beam, a slightly focused beam, a highly focused beam, a slightly diverging beam, a highly diverging beam, and a beam with a curved transverse profile. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The optic device of claim 1, configured for use in X-ray diffraction. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The optic device of claim 1, configured for use in X-ray fluorescence. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The optic device of claim 1, configured for use in X-ray lithography. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The optic device of claim 1, configured for use in X-ray astronomy. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The optic device of claim 1, configured for use in non-destructive examination. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The optic device of claim 1, configured for use in computed tomography or X-ray diagnostic systems. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The optic device of claim 1, wherein said input face is adapted for an angular acceptance range of about 0 steradians up to about 2π steradians of a solid angle of a source of the photons. ### Claim 20 An optic device for redirecting, through total internal reflection, photons having an energy above one keV, comprising a first solid phase layer having a first index of refraction and a second solid phase layer having a second index of refraction. ### Claim 21 A system for focusing photons, comprising: a source of photons; and an optic device comprising at least three conformal solid phase layers, wherein interfaces between said solid phase layers lack void areas and wherein said at least three conformal solid phase layers include at least two photon redirection regions for directing and transmitting photons through total internal reflection. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The system of claim 21, wherein said optic device is configured to redirect photons at an energy level above about one keV. ### Claim 23 (depends on 21) The system of claim 21, wherein said at least three conformal solid phase layers comprise a first solid phase layer having a first index of refraction and a second solid phase layer having a second index of refraction different than said first index of refraction. ### Claim 24 (depends on 21) The system of claim 21, wherein said optic device has an angular acceptance range of up to about 2π steradians from said source of photons. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) The system of claim 24, wherein said first and second solid layers include photon redirection regions formed to redirect the photons into quasi-parallel beams. ### Claim 26 (depends on 21) The system of claim 21, wherein said optic device is configured to focus polychromatic radiation. ### Claim 27 (depends on 26) The system of claim 26, wherein said optic device comprises an input face for receiving the photons and an output face through which the photons exit said optic device. ### Claim 28 (depends on 27) The system of claim 27, wherein said optic device is configured for receiving X-rays. ### Claim 29 (depends on 27) The system of claim 27, wherein said optic device is configured to redirect the photons at an energy level above one keV. ### Claim 30 (depends on 27) The system of claim 27, wherein said optic device is configured to focus highly monochromatic radiation. ### Claim 31 (depends on 27) The system of claim 27, wherein said optic device is configured to focus quasi-monochromatic radiation. ### Claim 32 (depends on 27) The system of claim 27, comprising a diffracting crystal for transforming the polychromatic radiation from the output face of the optic device into a highly monochromatic beam. ### Claim 33 (depends on 27) The system of claim 27, comprising a filter for transforming the polychromatic output of the optic device into a quasi-monochromatic beam. ### Claim 34 (depends on 21) The system of claim 21, wherein said optic device is configured to redirect a photon beam selected from the group consisting of a quasi-parallel beam, a slightly focused beam, a highly focused beam, a slightly diverging beam, a highly diverging beam, and a beam with a curved transverse profile.