Exposure device having an array of light emitting diodes
AssigneeDymax Corporation
InventorsKirk A. Middlemass, Todd J. Hallock, James E. Swope, Gary A. Zubricky
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Abstract
A device and method for exposing light sensitive substrates to a concentrated light source. The device is suitable for curing substances such as photosensitive sensitive inks, adhesives, and photographic elements. Ultraviolet or visible light is emitted from an array of LED's, and then directed by an array of light guides to a light concentrator having a light input region along its length. The light is then concentrated and emitted from a light output region along the length of the light concentrator to a photosensitive target to be exposed.
Claims19
An illumination device for curing a photosensitive composition comprising an optical light concentrator which is substantially transparent to light in the ultraviolet and/or visible region of the electromagnetic spectrum, said light concentrator comprising a rod and having a length and a width;
- said light concentrator having a light input region along its length, and a light output region along its length at a location spaced from the light input region;
- a plurality of light guides, each light guide having a light input end and a light output end;
- a plurality of light emitting diodes, one light emitting diode in juxtaposition with a light input end of one of the light guides and capable of emitting light into the light input end of the light guide to which it is juxtaposed;
- the light output end of each of said light guides abutting the light concentrator along its length at the light input region.
The illumination device of claim I wherein the light output ends of the light guides are positioned along the light input region of the light concentrator such that light output ends of the light guides are more closely spaced apart at end portions of the light concentrator than at a central portion of the light concentrator.
A method for exposing a photosensitive composition which comprises:
- i) providing an illumination device for curing a photosensitive composition comprising an optical light concentrator which is substantially transparent to light in the ultraviolet and/or visible region of the electromagnetic spectrum, said light concentrator comprising a rod and having a length and a width;
- said light concentrator having a light input region along its length, and a light output region along its length at a location spaced from the light input region;
- a plurality of light guides, each light guide having a light input end and a light output end;
- a plurality of light emitting diodes, one light emitting diode in juxtaposition with a light input end of one of the light guides and capable of emitting light into the light input end of the light guide to which it is juxtaposed;
- the light output end of each of said light guides abutting the light concentrator along its length at the light input region;
- ii) providing a photosensitive composition disposed on a substrate;
- and then
- iii) exposing the photosensitive composition by directing light in the ultraviolet and/or visible region of the electromagnetic spectrum from the light output region of the light concentrator to the photosensitive composition.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.