All-polymer grating microstructure
AssigneeBrady Worldwide, Inc.
InventorBruce M. Klemann
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An all-polymer grating microstructure device that exhibits a zero-order reflection under white light comprises a first polymer having a first refractive index and configured as a microstructure embedded within a second polymer having a second refractive index, each of the polymers of the first and second polymers at least translucent to white light with the proviso that the refractive index of the first polymer is at least 0.05 greater than the refractive index of the second polymer.
Claims26
An all-polymer zero-order grating microstructure device that exhibits a zero-order reflection under white light, the device comprising a first polymer having a first refractive index of greater than 1.70 and configured as a microstructure embedded within a second polymer having a second refractive index wherein the microstructure is configured as a row of a plurality of separated and parallel grating lines being adjacently positioned to each other in a single plane, and each grating line is encapsulated and surrounded by said second polymer, each of the polymers of the first and second polymers at least translucent to white light with the proviso that the refractive index of the first polymer is at least 0.20 greater than the refractive index of the second polymer.
A multi-layer, all-polymer zero-order grating microstructure device that exhibits a zero-order reflection under white light, the device comprising as a first layer an opaque substrate having first and second planar surfaces, and a second layer comprising (i) a first polymer having a first refractive index of greater than 1.70 and configured as a microstructure configured as a row of a plurality of separated and parallel grating lines being adjacently positioned to each other in a single plane, each grating line being encapsulated and surrounded by a second polymer having a second refractive index, and (ii) first and second planar surfaces, the second planar surface of the second layer in intimate contact with the first planar surface of the substrate, and each of the first and second polymers of the second layer at least translucent to white light with the proviso that the refractive index of the first polymer is at least 0.20 greater than the refractive index of the second polymer.
A method of forming an all-polymer zero-order grating microstructure device that exhibits a zero-order reflection under white light, the method comprising the steps of:
- A. Providing a substrate having a planar surface;
- B. Coating the planar surface of the substrate with a first polymer having a first refractive index of greater than 1.70 to form a first polymer layer having first and second planar surfaces, the second planar surface of the first polymer layer in intimate contact with the planar surface of the substrate;
- C. Coating the first planar surface of the first polymer layer with a second polymer having a second refractive index to form a second polymer layer having first and second planar surfaces, the second planar surface of the second polymer layer in intimate contact with the first planar surface of the first polymer layer;
- and
- D. Forming a microstructure in the first polymer layer from the second polymer of the second polymer layer, the microstructure configured as a row of a plurality of separated and parallel grating lines being adjacently positioned to each other in a single plane with each grating line being encapsulated and surrounded by said second polymer layer;
- each of the polymer layers at least translucent to white light with the proviso that the refractive index of the second polymer is at least 0.20 greater than the refractive index of the first polymer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.