Optical: systems and elements – Having significant infrared or ultraviolet property
Reexamination Certificate
1999-01-21
2001-09-04
Spyrou, Cassandra (Department: 2872)
Optical: systems and elements
Having significant infrared or ultraviolet property
C359S361000, C250S227310, C250S488100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06285495
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to an optical element and in particular is intended to relate to an optical element which is capable of transmitting electromagnetic radiation and in so doing capturing from the incident radiation a range or number or ranges of wavelengths and redirecting at least some of the eliminated radiation from the optical element in a controlled manner.
Throughout the specification the term “optical element” is not to be limited to one for use with the visible spectrum but is applicable to all forms of electromagnetic radiation including, but not limited to, microwave, infrared, visible, ultraviolet, X and gamma radiation.
In the past it has been known to provide luminescent materials which are capable of absorbing selected wavelengths or ranges of wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation such as visible light, infra-red radiation, ultraviolet radiation, X-radiation and the like and remitting at a different wavelength or range of wavelengths. Such materials can comprise organic dyes or similar organic compounds as well as inorganic compounds such as salts of rare earth elements.
It is an object of the invention to provide an optical element which has the capacity to intercept some of the electromagnetic radiation incident on the optical element and to redirect such radiation into the interior of the optical element to be able to be emitted from the optical element separately from the remaining transmitted radiation.
Accordingly the invention resides in an optical element comprising a plurality of transparent layers comprising one or more passive layers and one or more active layers wherein said passive layers facilitate the transmission of electromagnetic radiation in a substantially unaltered form and the at least one active layers include an active material dispersed through the active layer and having the capacity to intercept electromagnetic radiation of at least one first predetermined wavelength or range of wavelengths and redirect at least a portion of energy of the intercepted radiation into the interior of the optical element said layers being in face to face relationship and being optically coupled to each other.
According to a preferred feature the active material may comprise substances or particles which are reflective and/or dispersive in relation to at least a portion of the intercepted radiation.
It is a preferred object of the invention to provide a transparent optical element which can utilise the properties of luminescent materials to eliminate from the incident radiation, the selected wavelengths or ranges of wavelengths.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly the invention also resides in an optical element comprising a plurality of transparent layers comprising one or more passive layers and one or more active layers wherein said passive layers facilitate the transmission of electromagnetic radiation in a substantially unaltered form and the at least one active layers include a luminescent material having the capacity to absorb electromagnetic radiation of a first predetermined wavelength or range of wavelengths and consequently emit electromagnetic radiation of a second predetermined wavelength or range of wavelengths, said layers being in face to face relationship and being optically coupled to each other.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
According to one particular embodiment the optical element comprises three layers comprising a central active layer between two passive layers.
According to an alternative embodiment of the invention the optical element comprises one active layer and one passive layer.
According to a further embodiment of the invention a plurality of active layers are provided between a pair of outermost passive layers. According to one form of the embodiment the active layers are in face to face relationship with each other.
According to an alternative form of the embodiment the active layers are separated from each other by a passive layer. Each of the active layers may accommodate differing luminescent materials having different absorption emission characteristics and if desired the absorption characteristics of the active layers may be complementary whereby the luminescent material of the first layer encountered by the incident radiation emits a radiation which will be absorbed by the luminescent material of the second active layer encountered by the incident radiation, said layers being in face to face relationship and being optically coupled to each other.
According to a preferred feature of the invention the optical element may comprise a curved panel wherein the convex face is directed towards the source of said incident radiation, or away from it.
According to a further preferred feature of the invention a portion of the edges of the optical element are adapted to be reflective to the emitted radiation.
According to a further preferred feature of the invention at least a portion of the edge of the optical element are configured to facilitate emission of the emitted radiation from the optical element. In one form at least some of the edges may be chamfered.
According to a further preferred feature of the invention at least one face of the optical element is formed with a discontinuity to facilitate the emission of emitted radiation from the optical element. The form of discontinuity may comprise at least one groove formed in the at least one face. Another form of discontinuity may comprise one or more depressions or dimples provided in the at least one face. Another form of discontinuity may comprise at least one rib or protrusion on the at least one face. Another form of discontinuity may comprise an etched surface on a portion of the at least one face.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5078462 (1992-01-01), Gravisse
patent: 5820265 (1998-10-01), Kleinerman
patent: 6067188 (2000-05-01), Zieba et al.
Baranov Vladimir Kuzmich
Muski Michael
Cook Alex McFarron Manzo Cummings & Mehler, Ltd.
Robinson Mark A.
Spyrou Cassandra
Tropiglas Pty Ltd.
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