Optical: systems and elements – Light interference – Produced by coating or lamina
Reexamination Certificate
1998-11-25
2001-03-27
Henry, Jon (Department: 2872)
Optical: systems and elements
Light interference
Produced by coating or lamina
C359S590000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06208466
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND
This invention relates generally to multilayer reflectors, and more particularly multilayer dielectric reflectors having selective transmission.
Multilayer dielectric reflectors are often used to partition portions of the electromagnetic spectra between reflection and transmission. Multilayer dielectric reflectors typically employ a number of layers of at least two different materials within an optical stack. The different materials have refractive indices along at least one in-plane axis of the stack that are sufficiently different to substantially reflect light at the interface of the layers. Typical dielectric reflectors have very little absorption. Depending on its intended use, a dielectric stack can be constructed to reflect large areas of the electromagnetic spectrum, specific portions thereof, one polarization of light, etc. They can also be constructed to reflect light incident at normal and/or glancing angles of incidence.
One type of multilayer dielectric reflector is formed by sequentially depositing thin films on a substrate. Using this approach, the thickness of each individual layer can be carefully controlled to obtain a desired reflection band profile. An alternative approach to forming a dielectric reflector uses coextruded polymeric layers to form an optical stack. In each type of reflector, using more layers tends to improve the performance of the resulting dielectric reflector.
SUMMARY
Generally, the present invention relates to dielectric reflectors that are selectively treated to alter the transmission characteristic of the reflector. The reflection and transmission characteristics of the dielectric reflector can be selectively altered, for example, in local regions, by treating the surfaces to alter the propagation angles of light entering the reflector at one surface and allowing light extraction from the reflector at the opposing surface.
In one embodiment, the reflector includes a dielectric stack of optical repeating units including at least two different materials having different refractive indices. The stack has a critical angle at which light propagating in the stack will undergo total internal reflection at an interface of the stack with air. A first surface that is optically coupled to the dielectric stack is selectively treated to couple at least a portion of light incident on the first surface into the dielectric stack at a propagation angle above the critical angle. A second surface is selectively treated to couple at least a portion of the light propagating in the dielectric stack at an angle above the critical angle out of the stack. The coupling efficiency, for coupling light into or out of the stack with a propagation angle above the critical angle, is different for different regions of the dielectric stack on at least one surface.
A number of dielectric reflectors are suitable for use in connection with various embodiment of the invention. Suitable reflectors include, polymeric multilayer mirror and polarizing films, vapor-deposited dielectric mirrors and the like. Various treatments can be used to selectively couple light into and out of the stack. Such reflectors, selectively treated, can be used as part of a number of useful articles. Uniformly illuminated signs, for example, can be made where the indicia on the sign can be changed by selective treatment on one side of the sign.
The above summary of the present invention is not intended to describe each illustrated embodiment or every implementation of the present invention. The figures and detailed description that follow more particularly exemplify these embodiments.
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Brott Robert L.
Gilbert Laurence R.
Liu Yaoqi Joe
Nerad Bruce A.
Roscoe Kelly M.
3M Innovative Properties Company
Henry Jon
Miller William D.
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