Optical construction including a lens film and a mask

Abstract

Various embodiments of optical constructions and electronic devices including such optical constructions are disclosed. The optical constructions include a lens film having an outermost structured first major surface and an opposite outermost substantially planar second major surface. The structured first major surface includes a plurality of microlenses. The optical constructions also include a mask disposed adjacent the second major surface of the lens film, where the mask includes a polymeric layer, a layer of nanoparticles, and a plurality of laser-ablated openings disposed through the mask. The openings are aligned in a one-to-one correspondence with the microlenses.

Description

Background Technology

[0001] Some handheld devices, such as smartphones and tablets, may include partial or full-screen fingerprint sensing technology, which simplifies device access and enhances security. Such devices may include a fingerprint sensor that detects light reflected from a person's fingerprint touching the outer surface of the device's display. The reflected light can be transmitted through an array of microlenses, which guides the light through an array of pinholes or a mask to a detector or sensor array. The detected light can be compared with one or more stored images of a user's fingerprint, or that of an authorized user of the device, to determine if the person is an authorized user. Summary of the Invention

[0002] This disclosure relates throughout to optical constructs and methods of fabricating optical constructs. The optical construct may include a lens film and a mask disposed adjacent to the lens film, wherein the mask includes a polymer layer, a nanoparticle layer, and a plurality of openings disposed through the mask, and wherein the openings are aligned in a one-to-one correspondence with microlenses of the lens film. The mask may be optically opaque.

[0003] In one aspect, this disclosure provides an optical construct including a lens film having an outermost structured first main surface and an opposite outermost substantially flat second main surface. The structured first main surface includes a plurality of microlenses. The optical construct also includes a mask positioned adjacent to the second main surface of the lens film, wherein the mask includes a polymer layer, a nanoparticle layer, and a plurality of laser ablation openings configured to pass through the mask. The openings are aligned with the microlenses in a one-to-one correspondence.

[0004] In another aspect, this disclosure provides an electronic device including an optical construct. The optical construct includes a lens film having an outermost structured first main surface and an opposite outermost substantially flat second main surface, wherein the structured first main surface includes a plurality of microlenses. The optical construct also includes a mask disposed adjacent to the second main surface of the lens film, wherein the mask includes a polymer layer, a nanoparticle layer, and a plurality of laser ablation openings disposed through the mask. The openings are aligned with the microlenses in a one-to-one correspondence. The electronic device also includes an optical sensor disposed adjacent to the optical construct such that the mask is disposed between the lens film and the optical sensor.

[0005] In another aspect, the present invention provides a method comprising: disposing a plurality of microlenses on a first main surface of a lens film; setting a mask adjacent to a second main surface of the lens film, wherein the mask comprises a polymer layer and a nanoparticle layer; and providing a plurality of openings through the mask, the plurality of openings being aligned with the microlenses in a one-to-one correspondence.

[0006] All headings provided in this article are for the convenience of the reader and should not be used to limit the meaning of any text following the heading, unless otherwise specified.

[0007] The term "comprising" and its variations are not intended to be limiting wherever they appear in the specification and claims. Such terms are to be understood as implying the inclusion of the stated steps or elements or groups of steps or elements, but not excluding any other steps or elements or groups of steps or elements.

[0008] The terms "preferred" and "ideally" refer to embodiments of this disclosure that provide certain beneficial effects under certain circumstances; however, other embodiments may also be preferred under the same or other circumstances. Furthermore, the description of one or more preferred embodiments does not imply that other embodiments are unavailable, nor is it intended to exclude other embodiments from the scope of this disclosure.

[0009] In this application, terms such as “a,” “an,” and “the” are not intended to refer only to a single entity, but to encompass general categories, with specific examples provided for illustration. The terms “a,” “an,” “the,” and “the” are used interchangeably with the term “at least one.” The phrases “at least one of…” and “containing at least one of…” followed by a list refer to any item in the list and any combination of two or more items in the list.

[0010] The phrases “at least one of…” and “containing at least one of…” followed by a list refer to any item in the list and any combination of two or more items in the list.

[0011] As used herein, the term “or” is generally used in its usual sense, including “and / or”, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0012] The term “and / or” means one or all of the listed elements, or any combination of two or more of the listed elements.

[0013] As used herein, the term “about” with respect to a measured quantity refers to a deviation in the quantity being measured that would be expected by a technician who would take a reasonable degree of care in performing the measurement, and that is commensurate with the object of the measurement and the accuracy of the measuring equipment used. In this document, “at most” a number (e.g., at most 50) includes that number (e.g., 50).

[0014] In addition, in this article, the numerical range expressed by endpoints includes all numbers contained in the range as well as endpoint values ​​(e.g., 1 to 5 includes 1, 1.5, 2, 2.75, 3, 3.80, 4, 5, etc.).

[0015] These and other aspects of this disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description. However, in no way should the foregoing summary be construed as a limitation on the claimed subject matter, which is defined only by the appended claims, as may be amended during examination. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Reference is made throughout the specification to the accompanying drawings, wherein similar reference numerals denote similar elements, and wherein:

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the optical structure;

[0018] Figure 2 This is a schematic top perspective view of an exemplary lens film;

[0019] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of the optical transmittance of an optical structure;

[0020] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the opening end of an optical structure.

[0021] Figure 5 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the optical structure;

[0022] Figure 6 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the optical structure;

[0023] Figure 7 It is formed Figure 1 A schematic cross-sectional view of the steps of the method for constructing an optical structure;

[0024] Figure 8 yes Figure 7 A schematic cross-sectional view of another step of the method;

[0025] Figure 9 yes Figure 7 A schematic cross-sectional view of another step of the method;

[0026] Figure 10 It includes Figure 1 A schematic cross-sectional view of an electronic device with an optical structure;

[0027] Figure 11 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the optical structure;

[0028] Figure 12 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the optical structure;

[0029] Figure 13This is a bottom view image of the optical transmittance of an exemplary optical structure;

[0030] Figure 14 This is a bottom view image of the optical transmittance of another exemplary optical structure;

[0031] Figure 15 It comes from Figure 14 A bottom view image of the exemplary optical reflectivity of the structure;

[0032] Figure 16 It is a graph of the optical transmittance of an exemplary optical structure;

[0033] Figure 17 It is a graph comparing the optical transmittance of optical structures;

[0034] Figure 18 It is a graph of the optical transmittance of another comparative optical structure; and

[0035] Figure 19 These are graphs showing the percentage absorption rate versus wavelength for several exemplary optical constructs and comparative optical constructs. Detailed Implementation

[0036] This disclosure relates throughout to optical constructs and methods of fabricating optical constructs. The optical construct may include a lens film and a mask disposed adjacent to the lens film, wherein the mask includes a polymer layer, a nanoparticle layer, and a plurality of openings disposed through the mask, and wherein the openings are aligned in a one-to-one correspondence with microlenses of the lens film. The mask may be optically opaque.

[0037] Typical optical constructs may include microlens arrays and masks comprising a metal layer having an array of openings (e.g., pinholes) corresponding to the microlenses. However, such metal masks can cause unwanted specular reflections from regions between the openings in the mask because metal can be both absorptive and reflective. Generally, thin metal layers are insufficient to prevent crosstalk. While metal masks can be replaced with polymer layers comprising optically absorptive materials that reduce crosstalk, such polymer layers require greater thickness and have lower optical density compared to metal layers of the same thickness. Although such thicker polymer layers reduce crosstalk between openings, forming uniform openings can become more challenging as the layer thickness increases.

[0038] One or more embodiments of the optical constructs described herein may exhibit one or more advantages over typical constructs. For example, the optical constructs of this disclosure may include an optically opaque mask that exhibits a spike in optical transmittance through the optical construct. Additionally, openings configured to pass through the mask may have substantially linear sidewalls and highly rounded opening ends. Such openings may have highly uniform opening end areas. In one or more embodiments, the mask may have a high optical density. As used herein, the term "high optical density" means an optical density greater than 2. Furthermore, one or more embodiments of the masks described herein may have improved laser machinability compared to masks that consist only of a thin metal layer. This improved laser machinability, in turn, improves the characteristics of openings formed by laser light passing through the mask.

[0039] In one or more embodiments, the mask may comprise a polymer layer and a nanoparticle layer. Without being bound by any specific theory, the polymer layer and nanoparticle layer absorb incident light transmitted through a lens film positioned adjacent to the mask. As used herein, unless otherwise specified, the term "light" means electromagnetic radiation in the visible and / or near-infrared range (i.e., in the range of about 400 nm to about 1100 nm). In one or more embodiments, the nanoparticle layer may also reflect the incident light, thereby redirecting the reflected light back into the polymer layer, where the reflected light is absorbed, thereby increasing the overall optical absorption of the mask. Due to this increase in mask absorption, the signal-to-noise ratio at a sensor configured to receive light from the mask can be improved.

[0040] The nanoparticles in the nanoparticle layer can be selected to have a desired absorption coefficient. Additionally, the plasmon absorption or resonance of one or more nanoparticles in the nanoparticle layer can be tuned based on at least one of, for example, the shape or size of the particles. In one or more embodiments, one or more nanoparticles in the nanoparticle layer can be tuned to absorb light used to form openings through the mask. Because the forces between the nanoparticles in the nanoparticle layer can be weaker than the forces between atoms within a metal layer, laser ablation for forming openings in the mask can be performed at a relatively low power compared to the power required to ablate through a metal layer. The quality of such openings can also be significantly improved when forming openings through the nanoparticle layer compared to a metal layer. In one or more embodiments, the nanoparticles in the nanoparticle layer can be functionalized such that they adhere to a polymer layer of the mask.

[0041] Additionally, in one or more embodiments, the plasmon absorption of one or more nanoparticles in the nanoparticle layer can be tuned to absorb light from a source, for example, used to detect fingerprints using a fingerprint sensor. This absorption helps prevent light incident on the portion between openings in the mask from reaching the fingerprint sensor.

[0042] In one or more embodiments, the optical construct described herein can be used as an angular optical filter for a variety of applications, such as fingerprint sensing applications. For example, the optical construct may be positioned between a fingerprint sensing area and a sensor in a device (e.g., a smartphone) and may be adapted to transmit light reflected from the finger in the fingerprint sensing area to the sensor at one or more desired angles, while rejecting light incident on the optical construct at undesired angles.

[0043] Figure 1 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the optical construct 10. The optical construct 10 includes a lens film 12 having an outermost structured first main surface 14 and an opposite outermost substantially flat second main surface 16. The structured first main surface 14 includes a plurality of microlenses 18. In one or more embodiments, the plurality of microlenses 18 may be arranged along orthogonal first and second directions (e.g., along such a direction as...). Figure 1 The structure 10 also includes a mask 20 configured to be adjacent to a second primary surface 16 of the lens film 12. As used herein, the term "adjacent to" means that the mask 20 is configured to be closer to the second primary surface 16 of the film than the first primary surface 14 of the lens film 12, such that the mask can receive light transmitted through the second primary surface of the lens film. The mask 20 includes a polymer layer 24, a nanoparticle layer 26, and a plurality of openings 22 configured to pass through the mask. In one or more embodiments, the plurality of openings 22 may be along a first direction and a second direction (e.g., ...). Figure 1 The openings 22 are arranged in the x and y directions. The openings 22 are aligned with the microlenses 18 in a one-to-one correspondence. In one or more embodiments, the openings 22 are laser ablation openings.

[0044] The optical construct 10 may have any suitable size and take any suitable one or more shapes. For example, the optical construct 10 may have a total thickness T in the range of about 10 micrometers to about 200 micrometers, or about 30 micrometers to about 100 micrometers.

[0045] Lens film 12 may comprise any suitable one or more lens films. Additionally, lens film 12 may take any suitable one or more shapes and have any suitable dimensions. Lens film 12 includes an outermost structured first main surface 14 and an opposite outermost substantially flat (e.g., flat, nominally flat, or flat to a small variation or curvature compared to the variation or curvature of the structured first main surface) second main surface 16. Structured first main surface 14 includes a plurality of microlenses 18. Lens film 12 may be a single film or may comprise two or more films or layers.

[0046] Microlenses 18 can be disposed on or therein on the first main surface 14 of the lens film 12 using any suitable one or more techniques. In one or more embodiments, microlenses 18 can be disposed on the first main surface 14 using any suitable one or more techniques, such as casting and curing processes broadly described in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,175,030 (Lu et al.), 5,183,597 (Lu), and 9,919,339 (Johnson et al.), and, for example, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012 / 0064296 (Walker, JR. et al.). Such casting and curing processes can utilize acrylate resins to form microlenses. Alternatively, microlenses 18 can be disposed on one or more layers disposed on the first main surface 14 of the lens film using any suitable one or more techniques. For example, the lens film 12 may include a substrate layer 13 and a lens layer 15 disposed thereon, such that the lens layer forms the outermost structured first main surface 14, and the substrate layer forms the outermost substantially flat second main surface 16. The lens layer 15 can be attached to the substrate layer 13 using any suitable one or more techniques, such as by attaching them together with an optically transparent adhesive.

[0047] Microlenses are typically lenses having at least two orthogonal dimensions (e.g., height and diameter, or diameters along two axes) of less than about 1 mm and greater than about 100 nm. Each microlens 18 may have any suitable average diameter, for example, in the range of about 0.5 μm to about 500 μm, or about 5 μm to about 100 μm. Additionally, each microlens in microlenses 18 may have any suitable average radius of curvature, for example, in the range of about 5 μm to about 50 μm. Microlenses 18 may take any suitable shape or shape. For example, microlenses 18 may be spherical or aspherical. In one or more embodiments, microlenses 18 are pincushion lenses, which allow a larger portion of the area covered by the lens to be optically active. A pincushion lens can be substantially symmetrical about two orthogonal planes (e.g., planes passing through the center of the lens and parallel to the xz and yz planes, respectively), or substantially symmetrical about three planes parallel to the direction of the lens film thickness (where each plane is at an angle of about 60 degrees to each other), rather than being rotationally symmetrical about any axis.

[0048] Microlenses 18 can be disposed on the first main surface 14 of the lens film 12 in any suitable pattern or arrangement. In one or more embodiments, microlenses 18 are arranged in a hexagonal pattern (see, for example...). Figure 2The microlens 18 may fill a majority (at least about 85%) of the total area of ​​the structured first master surface 14, such that the majority of the total area is optically active (e.g., altering the divergence angle of incident light). In one or more embodiments, at least about 85%, or at least about 90%, or at least about 95%, or at least about 98% of the total area of ​​the structured first master surface 14 is optically active.

[0049] The lens film 12 may comprise any suitable one or more materials, such as polymeric materials like PET. In one or more embodiments, the microlens 18 may comprise one or more materials that are the same as or different from the body of the lens film 12.

[0050] A mask 20 is positioned adjacent to the second primary surface 16 of the lens film 12. As used herein, the term "mask" refers to an optically opaque optical element or component. A mask can be described as optically opaque when the transmittance of unpolarized visible light and / or near-IR light incident perpendicularly on a layer in the region between the openings 22 is less than 20%, or less than 15%, or less than 10%, or less than 5%, or less than 3%, or less than 2%, or less than 1%, or less than 0.1%, or less than 0.01%. Alternatively, the mask 20 can be characterized by its optical density (minus the logarithm of [transmittance / 100%] to the base 10, where the transmittance is for perpendicularly incident unpolarized visible light, unless otherwise stated). In one or more embodiments, the mask 20 has an optical density greater than about 1.5, or greater than about 1.6, or greater than about 1.7, or greater than about 2.0, or greater than about 3.0, or greater than about 4.0 between adjacent openings 22. In one or more embodiments, the mask 20 may be optically absorptive, such that most of the light incident between adjacent openings 22 on the mask is absorbed rather than reflected.

[0051] As further described herein, the optical construct 10 may include one or more additional layers disposed between the mask 20 and the second main surface 16 of the lens film 12, as further described herein. Additionally, in one or more embodiments, an air gap may be disposed between the mask 20 and the lens film 12. In one or more embodiments, the mask 20 may be disposed on (i.e., in contact with) the second main surface 16 of the lens film 12. The mask 20 may be disposed on the lens film 12 using any suitable technique, as further described herein.

[0052] Mask 20 may take any suitable shape or have any suitable dimensions. For example, mask 20 may have an average thickness t of less than about 10 micrometers. Alternatively, the average thickness t of mask 20 may be described as the average spacing between the first primary surface 28 and the second primary surface 30 of the mask. Unless otherwise stated, the average value refers to an unweighted average value. For example, the average thickness t may be less than about 10 micrometers, or less than about 9 micrometers, or less than about 8 micrometers, or less than about 7 micrometers. For example, the average thickness t may be greater than about 1 micrometer, or greater than about 2 micrometers, or greater than about 2.5 micrometers. The average thickness t may range, for example, from about 2 micrometers to about 10 micrometers, or from about 2.5 micrometers to about 8 micrometers. In addition, mask 20 may include any suitable number of layers.

[0053] The polymer layer 24 of the mask 20 can take any suitable shape or have any suitable size. In one or more embodiments, the polymer layer 24 is oriented in a direction orthogonal to the first main surface 28 of the mask 20 (i.e., in...). Figure 1 The average thickness (in the z-direction) may be, for example, less than about 8 micrometers, or less than about 7 micrometers, or less than about 6 micrometers, or less than about 5 micrometers. For example, the average thickness of the polymer layer 24 may be greater than about 1 micrometer, or greater than about 2 micrometers, or greater than about 2.5 micrometers. The average thickness of the polymer layer 24 may be in the range of, for example, about 2 micrometers to about 7 micrometers, or about 2.5 micrometers to about 6 micrometers. In addition, the polymer layer 24 may be a single layer or multiple layers.

[0054] The polymer layer 24 may comprise any suitable one or more polymer materials, such as at least one of polyurethane or acrylate. Additionally, the polymer layer 24 may be a UV-curable polymer layer, a visible-light-curable polymer layer, a thermosetting polymer layer, etc.

[0055] Polymer layer 24 may include one or more solvents, such that the polymer layer can be a solvent-deposited layer. As used herein, the term "solvent-deposited layer" is a layer formed by depositing (e.g., coating) a layer of material (e.g., polymers and light-absorbing materials) in a solvent and then evaporating the solvent. Suitable solvents include alcohols, ketones, esters, hydrocarbons, glycols, glycol ethers, and glycol esters. Some of these solvents may be high-boiling and may be present in small amounts in the coating solution. High-boiling hydrocarbons and petroleum naphtha and aromatics may also optionally be present in small amounts. Although not usually intentionally added, small amounts of water or moisture may be present in some polar solvents. Nitriles, aminoethanols, and amines may also be used as co-solvents. Preferred solvents can be determined by resin selection as well as process type and conditions (e.g., temperature). Typical preferred solvents include ketones and low-boiling alcohols.

[0056] Various polymer systems can be used as carrier resins (resins to be solvent-deposited) in solvent systems. For example, nitrocellulose and cellulose esters are available polymer categories. Medium to high molecular weight hydroxyl-functionalized, partially hydrolyzed vinyl chloride acetate copolymers can also be used as carrier resins. For alcohol-rich solvent systems, polyvinyl butyral is available or preferred. Based on solvent mixtures, substrate selection, desired adhesion, etc., polyamides, ethyl cellulose, cellulose acetate propionate, cellulose acetate butyrate, polyurethanes, maleic acid resins, epoxy resins, acrylics, and ethylene acrylics are also available or preferred. Suitable cellulose esters are available, for example, from Eastman Chemical Company. Suitable polyurethanes are available, for example, under the trade name VERSAMID PUR. Suitable polyvinyl butyral polymers are available, for example, under the trade name MOWITAL from Kuraray America. Suitable acrylate copolymers are available, for example, under the trade name PARALOID from Dow Chemical Company. Some other polymers available in certain cases include polyurethanes containing silanes or silsesquioxanes. Other polymers that are soluble or dispersible in solvent systems and can form a film after drying can also be used.

[0057] The polymer layer 24 may also include an optically absorbing material. In one or more embodiments, the polymer material of the polymer layer 24 provides a polymer matrix in which the optically absorbing material is disposed. The optically absorbing material may include any suitable one or more materials that absorb light. In one or more embodiments, the optically absorbing material may include one or more nanoparticles. Such nanoparticles may include any suitable one or more materials, for example, one or more oxides, such as mixed-valence tungsten oxide, potassium tungsten oxide, potassium barium tungsten oxide, etc. In one or more embodiments, the material may include at least one of dyes or pigments. Generally, dyes are molecularly soluble absorbers at the molecular level, while pigments are insoluble and typically need to be dispersed in a medium (e.g., solvent or resin) and typically by means of a dispersant. Pigments may be at least one of inorganic, organic, metal-organic, or organometallic compounds. In addition, pigments tend to absorb and / or scatter light, depending on the size of the pigment particles. Pigments may be milled and dispersed to a specific size to obtain the desired optical properties.

[0058] Pigments used in optically absorbing materials may be or include organic pigments, inorganic pigments, organometallic pigments, or combinations thereof. In one or more embodiments, the pigment absorbs both visible and IR light. The absorption intensity of the pigment may be similar or different in the visible and infrared portions of the electromagnetic spectrum. It is preferable to have pigments with stronger light absorption in the visible portion than in the infrared portion to achieve sufficient visible light blocking, but also sufficient absorption in the infrared portion for laser ablation. Suitable organic pigments are, for example, carbon black. Suitable inorganic pigments are, for example, metal oxides. The pigment may be a broadband absorber (e.g., carbon black).

[0059] To prepare a stable coating solution, carbon black is typically uniformly dispersed using a dispersant. The dispersant can be a surfactant molecule in its pure form or a polymer with affinity for both the pigment particles and the polymer resin. In one or more embodiments, the average particle size of the pigment (e.g., carbon black) is less than 1 micrometer, or less than 500 nm, or less than 250 nm, or less than 100 nm. For example, the average particle size can range from 5 nm or 10 nm or from 20 nm to 250 nm. A distribution of pigment particles of various sizes is possible. The average particle size can be understood as the Dv50 value (the median particle size in the volume distribution). In one or more embodiments, the pigment is included in the polymer layer 24 of the mask 20 in amounts of about 10% to about 35% by weight, or about 15% to about 30% by weight.

[0060] Optical absorbing materials may include visible-light-transparent infrared-absorbing conductive oxides in the form of nanoparticle powders and dispersions, such as indium tin oxide (ITO), antimony tin oxide (ATO), gallium tin oxide (GTO), antimony zinc oxide (AZO), aluminum / indium-doped zinc oxide, and doped tungsten oxides (such as cesium tungsten oxide and tungsten blue oxide). Exemplary nanoparticles are available from Nissan Chemical, Nagase, Sumitomo Metal and Mining, and Evonik.

[0061] Optically absorbing materials may include infrared absorbers with some visible color and transmission, such as cobalt aluminate spinel, cobalt chromate spinel, cobalt phosphate, other transition metal spinel oxides, copper oxides, copper phosphate, LiFePO4, and other iron phosphates and iron oxides, yttrium indium manganese oxide or yttrium indium manganese oxide, YInMn blue, and nanoparticles of these compositions. Other suitable infrared absorbers include lanthanide glasses, lanthanide oxides, or lanthanide phosphates, wherein the lanthanide ions are selected from the lanthanide groups in the periodic table. Suitable visible-light-transparent infrared absorbing materials also include metal borides, such as lanthanum hexaboride and other lanthanide boride nanoparticles, metal nitrides, and metal oxynitrides. Optically absorbing materials may also include visible-light-transparent infrared-absorbing polymer nanoparticles, such as conductive polymer nanoparticles, such as PEDOT-PSS.

[0062] In one or more embodiments, the optically absorbing material may include non-oxide infrared-absorbing nanoparticles having a certain visible light transmittance, such as metal chalcogenides including metal sulfides, selenides such as copper sulfide and copper selenide nanoparticles, and tungsten disulfide and molybdenum disulfide.

[0063] In one or more embodiments, the optically absorbing material may include visible-tunable absorbers, such as metal plasma nanoparticles comprising at least one of gold, silver, copper, etc. Some metal oxides (e.g., tungsten and molybdenum “bronze” type oxides) and metal chalcogenides (e.g., copper sulfide and selenide with high electronic conductivity) also exhibit plasmon effects. These plasma nanoparticles may exhibit tunable visible and IR absorption based on their size and shape.

[0064] In one or more embodiments, the optically absorbing material may include visible-light-transparent near-infrared absorbing dyes and pigments. These dyes may have low visible absorption but strong narrow-band infrared absorption. Many of these dyes and pigments are inherently organic / organo-metal or organometallic. Some major categories of these dyes and pigments include diimino-onium dyes, anthraquinone dyes, amine-onium dyes, cyanine dyes, benzoyl-onium dyes, aryl-onium dyes, naphthalene-integral dyes, chamomile-onium dyes, polymethimide dyes, naphthoquinone dyes, pyridinium dyes, phthalocyanine dyes, naphthocyanin dyes, naphtholactam dyes, azo dyes, indigo dyes, pyrene dyes, trinaphthalene-integral dyes, dioxazine dyes, quinacridone dyes, isoindoleone dyes, quinoline phthalone dyes, pyrrole dyes or thio-indole dyes, transition metal dithiophene dyes, quinone dyes, anthraquinone dyes, imine dyes, thiaranonium dyes, azuronium dyes, and indoleaniline dyes. Many of these dyes and pigments can also exhibit both visible and infrared absorption.

[0065] Additionally, in one or more embodiments, the optically absorbing material may include visible dyes and colorants that exhibit infrared transparency and fall into one or more categories, such as acid dyes, azo dyeing materials and coupling components, diazo components, basic dyes (including developers, such as direct dyes, disperse dyes, fluorescent whitening agents, food dyes, dyeing dyes, leather dyes, mordant dyes, natural dyes, and pigments), oxidative color-developing bases, pigments, reactive dyes, reducing agents, solvent dyes, sulfur dyes, condensed sulfur dyes, and urn dyes. Suitable organic dyes belong to one or more monoazo, azo condensed, acid dye insoluble metal salts, as well as diazo, naphthol, aryl compounds, diaryl compounds, pyrazolones, acetylaryl compounds, naphthylaniline, phthalocyanine, anthraquinones, dinaphthylbenzene, flavinthrone, trianthrazines, metal complexes, quinacridones, and polypyrrolopyrrole dyes.

[0066] In one or more embodiments, the optically absorbing material may include metal oxide pigments, such as metal chromates, molybdates, titanates, tungstates, aluminates, and ferrites. Many contain transition metals such as iron, manganese, nickel, titanium, vanadium, antimony, cobalt, lead, cadmium, chromium, etc. Bismuth vanadate is a non-cadmium yellow. These pigments can be ground to produce nanoparticles, which can be used where transparency and low scattering are required. These oxides can exhibit selective visible and / or infrared absorption. Other suitable metal oxide pigments include carbon black, activated carbon, and lampblack, which exhibit visible and IR absorption.

[0067] Typically, any suitable one or more techniques can be used to select the electromagnetic absorption properties of the polymer layer 24 of the mask 20. For example, the type of material used for the optically absorbing material can be selected to provide selected infrared absorption for forming the opening 22 by laser ablation using an infrared light source, while also providing the desired light absorption of the mask 20. Additionally, the optically absorbing material and other materials used in the polymer layer 24 of the mask 20 can be selected to provide a desired viscosity or viscosity range. In one or more embodiments, the composition used to form the polymer layer 24 may have a viscosity of at least 200 cP and no more than 1000 cP.

[0068] The polymer layer 24 can be manufactured using any suitable one or more techniques. For example, polymeric materials, photoinitiators, and optically absorbing materials can be combined to create a coating mixture. Suitable coating mixtures include printing inks. For example, Sun Chemicals, Dainichiseika Color and Chemicals Mfg Co, Ltd, and Huber Group manufacture available carbon black-containing inks. These printing inks can have different viscosities based on the choice of polymer, the molecular weight of the polymer, and the solids content. Various inks can be selected based on the coating or printing method. In one or more embodiments, the printing ink is applied via die-casting. Alternatively, other coating or printing methods, such as gravure printing or flexographic printing, can be used. The choice of coating or printing method can also depend on the desired thickness of the layer to be printed or coated.

[0069] Mask 20 may include a nanoparticle layer 26, which may take any suitable shape or have any suitable size. In one or more embodiments, the nanoparticle layer 26 may have an average thickness greater than 0 nm and not greater than 10,000 nm. In one or more embodiments, the nanoparticle layer 26 is oriented in a direction orthogonal to the first main surface 28 of mask 20 (i.e., in...). Figure 1 The average thickness (in the z-direction) may be, for example, less than about 8 micrometers, or less than about 7 micrometers, or less than about 6 micrometers, or less than about 5 micrometers, or less than about 4 micrometers, or less than about 3 micrometers, or less than about 2 micrometers, or less than about 1 micrometer. In one or more embodiments, the average thickness of the nanoparticle layer 26 may be in the range of about 10 nm to about 1 micrometer.

[0070] The nanoparticle layer 26 and the polymer layer 24 can have any suitable thickness ratio. For example... Figure 1 As shown, the polymer layer 24 may have a thickness t1, and the nanoparticle layer 26 may have a thickness t2. The thickness ratio t1 / t2 may be at most 2.

[0071] Additionally, the nanoparticle layer 26 may be a single layer or multiple layers. For example, in one or more embodiments, the nanoparticle layer 26 may be a single layer. Alternatively, the nanoparticle layer 26 may include, for example, nanoparticles disposed directly on the polymer layer 24.

[0072] The nanoparticles of nanoparticle layer 26 can be sintered together using any suitable technique or one or more as further described herein. For example, the mechanical and optical properties of silver nanoparticles vary with their size. Such silver nanoparticles can be sintered using infrared light at temperatures as low as 300°C.

[0073] Additionally, the nanoparticle layer 26 may comprise any suitable nanoparticles; for example, the nanoparticles of the nanoparticle layer 26 may take any suitable one or more shapes and have any suitable size. The nanoparticles may include spheres, rods, nanowires, prisms, or other shapes. Furthermore, the nanoparticles may have a diameter of at least 10 nm (the minimum size in any dimension). In one or more embodiments, one or both of the size or shape of the nanoparticles may be selected to provide the desired optical properties of the nanoparticle layer 26.

[0074] In one or more embodiments, the nanoparticle layer 26 may include one or more metal nanoparticles. Any suitable one or more metals may be used for the metal nanoparticles, such as at least one of aluminum, silver, copper, gold, vanadium, titanium, iron, zinc, or nickel, or combinations and alloys thereof. In one or more embodiments, the nanoparticle layer 26 may include one or more plasma nanoparticles made of a plasma material.

[0075] The nanoparticle layer 26 may include a variety of nanoparticles having the same material properties. In one or more embodiments, the nanoparticle layer 26 may include two or more different types of nanoparticles. Additionally, the nanoparticle layer 26 may include any suitable number of nanoparticles. The nanoparticle layer 26 may include nanoparticles having the same size and / or shape. In one or more embodiments, the nanoparticle layer may include nanoparticles with different sizes and / or shapes. For example, the nanoparticle layer 26 may have any suitable particle size distribution, such as bimodal, trimodal, etc.

[0076] In one or more embodiments, the nanoparticles of the nanoparticle layer 26 may be functionalized using any suitable one or more techniques.

[0077] The nanoparticles of the nanoparticle layer 26 can be selected to provide the layer with any suitable optical properties. In one or more embodiments, the nanoparticles can be selected such that the nanoparticle layer is adapted to reflect a first portion of light incident thereon and absorb a second portion of light incident thereon. In one or more embodiments, the nanoparticles can be selected and the nanoparticle layer can be constructed such that the layer is adapted to absorb light having any suitable wavelength.

[0078] The nanoparticle layer 26 can be disposed on the polymer layer 24 using any suitable technique. In one or more embodiments, the nanoparticles of the polymer layer 24 may be in the form of ink or other media (e.g., solvents, polymers, etc.) disposed on the polymer layer 24 and dried or cured. The nanoparticle layer 26 may be post-treated and sintered, as further described herein.

[0079] The mask 20 can be positioned adjacent to the second main surface 16 of the lens film 12 using any suitable technique. In one or more embodiments, the polymer layer 24 of the mask 20 can be inkjet-printed onto the second main surface 16. In one or more embodiments, the polymer layer 24 can be coated onto the second main surface 16. The nanoparticle layer 26 can be disposed on the polymer layer 24 using any suitable technique or one or more (e.g., printing, coating, etc.). Although the nanoparticle layer 26 is depicted as disposed on the polymer layer 24, one or more additional layers may be disposed between the nanoparticle layer and the polymer layer, such as an adhesive layer. Additionally, in one or more embodiments, the nanoparticle layer 26 can be spaced apart from the polymer layer 24 by one or more air gaps using any suitable technique or one or more.

[0080] like Figure 1 As depicted in the embodiment, the polymer layer 24 of the mask 20 is positioned adjacent to the second main surface 16 of the lens film 12, such that the polymer layer is located between the lens film and the nanoparticle layer 26. However, the polymer layer 24 and the nanoparticle layer 26 can be arranged relative to the lens film 12 in any suitable relationship. For example, Figure 11 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the optical structure 500. This article is about... Figures 1 to 4 All the design considerations and possibilities described in the optical construct 10 also apply to the optical construct 10. Figure 11 The optical construct 500 includes a lens film 512 and a mask 520, the lens film having an outermost structured first main surface 514 and an opposite outermost substantially flat second main surface 516, the mask being configured to be adjacent to the second main surface of the lens film.

[0081] Figure 11 The optical structure 500 and Figures 1 to 4 One difference between the optical constructs 10 is that the nanoparticle layer 526 of the mask 520 of the construct 500 is positioned adjacent to the second main surface 516 of the lens film 512, such that the nanoparticle layer is located between the lens film and the polymer layer 524 of the mask. In one or more embodiments, the nanoparticle layer 526 is disposed on the second main surface 516 of the lens film 512. In one or more embodiments, one or more additional layers or air gaps may be disposed between the nanoparticle layer 526 and the second main surface 516 of the lens film 512.

[0082] return Figure 1 The mask 20 may comprise any suitable number of layers, such as three, four, five, or more layers. In one or more embodiments, the mask 20 may comprise any suitable arrangement of alternating polymer layers and nanoparticle layers. For example, Figure 12 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the optical structure 600. This article is about... Figures 1 to 4 Optical structure 10 and Figure 11 All the design considerations and possibilities described in the optical construct 500 also apply to the optical construct 500. Figure 12 The optical construct 600 includes a lens film 612 having an outermost structured first main surface 614 and an opposite outermost substantially flat second main surface 616. The optical construct 600 also includes a mask 620 configured to be adjacent to the second main surface 616 of the lens film 612.

[0083] Optical construct 600 and Figures 1 to 4 Optical structure 10 and Figure 11 One difference between the constructs 500 is that the mask 620 includes a first polymer layer 624, a second polymer layer 628, and a nanoparticle layer 626 disposed between the first polymer layer and the second polymer layer. The first polymer layer 624 and the second polymer layer 628 may comprise any suitable polymer layer, for example... Figure 1 The polymer layer 24. Additionally, the first polymer layer 624 may be the same as or different from the second polymer layer 628. The nanoparticle layer 626 may be configured such that it contacts each of the first polymer layer 624 and the second polymer layer 628. In one or more embodiments, one or more layers may be disposed between the nanoparticle layer 626 and at least one of the first polymer layer 624 or the second polymer layer 628. Furthermore, any suitable one or more techniques may be used to space the nanoparticle layer 626 from one or more of the first polymer layer 624 and the second polymer layer 628. In one or more embodiments, the second polymer layer 628 is part of the first polymer layer 624, such that a single polymer layer is provided. In such embodiments, the nanoparticle layer 626 may be at least partially disposed within the polymer layers 624 / 628. In one or more embodiments, the nanoparticle layer 626 may be completely disposed within the polymer layers 624 / 628.

[0084] return Figure 1 A plurality of openings 22 are configured to pass through the mask 20. These openings 22 can be formed using any suitable technique or method (e.g., laser ablation). The openings 22 can be configured to pass through the mask 20 in any suitable pattern or arrangement, and can include any suitable number of openings. In one or more embodiments, the openings 22 are aligned with the microlens 18 in a one-to-one correspondence, such that they form an angle of incidence with respect to the second primary surface 16. (The incident angle is the angle relative to the surface normal) The incident direction 34 is the incident, and the substantially collimated light 32 is incident on the side of the structured first main surface 14 of the optical structure 10. The optical transmittance of the optical structure is a function of the incident angle φ. Figure 3The light includes a first transmission peak 38 having a first peak transmittance T1 and a corresponding full width at half maximum (FWHM) W1. For example, the substantially collimated light 32 may be collimated or nominally collimated, or may have a divergence or convergence angle less than about 20 degrees, or less than about 10 degrees, or less than about 5 degrees. The substantially collimated light 32 may fill or substantially fill at least one microlens 18, or may fill or substantially fill the plurality of microlenses. The incident direction may be substantially orthogonal to the first and second directions. For example, the angle... It can be less than approximately 20 degrees Celsius, or less than approximately 10 degrees Celsius, or less than approximately 5 degrees Celsius. For example... Figure 5 As shown in the illustrated implementation, the essentially collimated light is at an angle of 132 degrees. The angle is approximately 0 degrees. In one or more embodiments, the first transmission peak 38 is within approximately 10 degrees of the incident angle (e.g., the first transmission peak 38 may appear at an angle that is within 10 degrees of the incident angle). The first transmission angle θ1 is within approximately 10 degrees. In one or more embodiments, T1 ≥ 40% or T1 ≥ 50%. In one or more embodiments, T1 / W1 ≥ 2% / degree, or T1 / W1 ≥ 4% / degree, or T1 / W1 ≥ 6% / degree, or T1 / W1 ≥ 8% / degree. Additionally, in one or more embodiments, T1 ≥ 50% and T1 / W1 ≥ 4% / degree. Typically, a peak (e.g., 4% / degree or higher T1 / W1) may be preferred. In one or more embodiments, W1 is less than about 20 degrees, or 15 degrees, or 12 degrees, or 10 degrees. In one or more embodiments, T1 is greater than about 50% or greater than about 55%. In one or more embodiments, 70% ≥ T1 ≥ 50%. For example, optical constructs with 70% ≥ T1 may be preferred in some cases because such optical constructs typically have less crosstalk than optical constructs with higher T1, while optical constructs with T1 ≥ 50% may be preferred in some cases to provide the desired incident light throughput.

[0085] The substantially collimated light 32 may include any suitable wavelength. In one or more embodiments, the light 32 may be visible light (e.g., wavelengths from about 400 nm to about 700 nm) or may have at least one wavelength in the visible wavelength range. In one or more embodiments, the optical transmittance 36 is the average optical transmittance in a wavelength range extending from at least about 450 nm to about 650 nm. In one or more embodiments, the optical transmittance 36 is the optical transmittance for at least one wavelength in a wavelength range extending from about 450 nm to about 650 nm (e.g., the optical transmittance may be for a wavelength of about 530 nm).

[0086] In one or more embodiments, the optical structure 10 is adapted to transmit light incident along the incident direction and substantially not transmit light incident along a direction forming an angle greater than about 15 degrees with respect to the incident direction. (Incident angle) It can be approximately zero degrees or greater than zero degrees, depending on the incident angle of the desired transmission.

[0087] In one or more embodiments, the optical transmittance 36 of the optical construct 10 further includes a specific ratio to the incident angle (e.g., A second transmission peak 40 has a second peak transmittance T2 at a transmission angle θ2 of at least about 30 degrees. In one or more embodiments, T2 ≤ 3%, or T2 ≤ 2.5%, or T2 ≤ 2%, or T2 ≤ 1.5%, or T2 ≤ 1%, or T2 ≤ 0.5%, or T2 ≤ 0.3%. In one or more embodiments, T2 / T1 is less than about 0.07 or less than about 0.05. In one or more embodiments, 0.3% ≤ T2 ≤ 3% or 0.5% ≤ T2 ≤ 2.5%. A second peak transmittance T2 > 3% is generally undesirable because it leads to undesirable crosstalk. In one or more embodiments, the second peak 40 is absent or too small to be discernible in a graph of optical transmittance versus transmission angle. The second peak 40 may be present at an angle along a first direction (e.g., longitudinal) but not along a second direction (e.g., transverse). This may be due to shape variations of the microlens caused by the process used to form the lens film (e.g., casting and curing processes).

[0088] In one or more embodiments, in at least a first cross-section of the outermost structured first main surface 14 along a direction substantially orthogonal to the first and second directions and substantially bisects the first opening 22-1 of the plurality of openings 22, the first opening has a larger first width d1 on the first main surface 28 of the mask 20 facing the lens film 12 and a smaller second width d2 on the second main surface 30 of the mask facing away from the lens film. In one or more embodiments, the first width d1 is smaller than the second width d2. In one or more embodiments, d1 and d2 are approximately equal. The relative widths of d1 and d2 may depend on the material selection of the mask 20 and the laser ablation processing conditions. For example, the shape of the opening adjusted by laser processing conditions is generally described in U.S. Patent No. 7,864,450 (Segawa et al.). In one or more embodiments, the ratio of the first width d1 to the second width d2 (d1 / d2) is in the range of about 1.1 to about 2.

[0089] The opening 22 may have any suitable average diameter, for example, in the range of about 1 micrometer to about 10 micrometers, or about 2 micrometers to about 8 micrometers. The diameter d0 of the opening 22 can be understood as the diameter of a cylinder whose length is equal to its thickness t and whose volume is equal to the volume of the opening (e.g., the diameter d0 may be approximately equal to...). Figure 1 The average diameter is (d1+d2) / 2. The average diameter is the diameter d0 (unweighted average) obtained by averaging the openings 22. The average value of d1 or d2 may be additionally or alternatively specified. In one or more embodiments, for at least one of the first main surface 28 and the second main surface 30 of the mask 20, the opening ends at the main surface (e.g., opening end 23 at the first main surface 28 or opening end 25 at the second main surface 30) have an average diameter in the range of about 1 micrometer to about 10 micrometers or about 2 micrometers to about 8 micrometers. The diameter of the opening end can be understood as the diameter of a circle having the same area as the opening end. The average diameter of the opening end is the diameter obtained by averaging the opening ends (unweighted average). In one or more embodiments, 0.5 ≤ d / t ≤ 2, where d is the average value of d0, d1, or d2, and t is the average thickness of the mask layer.

[0090] In one or more embodiments, each opening 22 in at least a substantial portion (e.g., at least about 20%) of the opening includes at least one opening end having a high roundness (e.g., at least about 0.75, or at least about 0.8, or at least about 0.85). The roundness (C) of the shape is 4π multiplied by the area A1 of the shape divided by the square of the perimeter P1 of the shape (i.e., C = 4πA1 / P1). 2 Roundness (also known as the perimeter ratio) is 1 for a circle and less than 1 for any other shape (according to a mathematical result called the perimeter inequality). Roundness is a commonly used parameter to describe how close an object is to a circle, and is usually determined automatically by software, such as in a digital camera.

[0091] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the shape 27 of the opening end of the opening 22 (e.g., the opening end 23 at the first main surface 28 of the mask 20 or the opening end 25 at the second main surface 30). Shape 27 has an area A1 and a perimeter P1 (length around the area A1). The geometry of the opening end 25 at the second main surface 30 of the mask 20 can be determined from a microscopic image of the second main surface 30 (see, for example...). Figures 13 to 14 The geometry of the opening end 23 at the first main surface 28 can be determined by first coating the microlens 18 with a refractive index matching coating to substantially planarize the first main surface 14 of the lens film 12. The opening end 23 at the first main surface 28 of the mask 20 can then be determined from a microscopic image of the first main surface 28 viewed through the planarization layer and the lens film 12.

[0092] In one or more embodiments, for at least one main surface 28, 30 of the mask 20, each opening 22 has an opening end at a main surface (an opening end 23 at the first main surface 28 and / or an opening end 25 at the second main surface 30). In one or more embodiments, at least about 20% of the opening ends of the opening 22 have a roundness of shape 27 of at least about 0.75. In one or more embodiments, the area of ​​the shape 27 of the opening ends of the opening 22 has a mean A (e.g., the unweighted average of area A1 may be A) and a standard deviation less than about 15% of A (e.g., the standard deviation of area A1). In one or more embodiments, the standard deviation is less than about 12% of A, or less than about 10% of A, or less than about 8% of A.

[0093] In one or more embodiments, at least about 20% of opening 22 includes at least about 50%, or at least about 60%, or at least about 70%, or at least about 80%, or at least about 90% of the opening. In one or more embodiments, the roundness of the shape of at least about 20% of the opening end of opening 22 is at least about 0.8, or at least about 0.85, or at least about 0.9. In one or more embodiments, the roundness of the shape of at least about 50% of the opening end of opening 22 is at least about 0.75, or at least about 0.8, or at least about 0.85. In one or more embodiments, the roundness of the shape 127 of the opening end of opening 22 has an average value of at least about 0.75, or at least about 0.8, or at least about 0.85 and a standard deviation of less than about 0.2. In one or more embodiments, the standard deviation is less than about 0.18, or less than about 0.16, or less than about 0.14.

[0094] As described herein, the optical construct 10 may include one or more additional layers that provide at least one structural or optical property to the construct. For example, Figure 5 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the optical structure 100. This article is about... Figures 1 to 4 All the design considerations and possibilities described in the optical construct 10 also apply to the optical construct 10. Figure 5 An optical construct 100. The optical construct includes a lens film 112 having an outermost structured first principal surface 114 and an opposite outermost substantially flat second principal surface 116. The lens film 112 may include any suitable lens film described herein, for example, Figure 1 The lens film 12. The structured first main surface 114 includes a plurality of microlenses 118. The construct 100 also includes a mask 120 configured to be adjacent to a second main surface 116 of the lens film 112. The mask 120 may include any suitable mask described herein, for example, Figure 1 The mask 20. Additionally, the mask includes a first main surface 128 and a second main surface 130. A plurality of openings 122 are configured to pass through the mask 120.

[0095] Figure 5 The structure 100 and Figures 1 to 4 One difference between the constructs 100 and the other is that the construct 100 includes one or more optional additional layers or films. For example, the optical construct 100 includes an optional additional layer 142 positioned adjacent to a second main surface 130 of a mask 120 facing away from the lens film 112. The additional layer 142 may comprise any suitable one or more materials or components, such as adhesives. Additionally, the additional layer 142 may have any suitable dimensions. Although depicted as a single layer, the additional layer 142 may comprise two or more sublayers joined together using any suitable technique.

[0096] In one or more embodiments, material 144 from layer 142 (e.g., a polymeric material and / or a low-refractive-index optical adhesive material) at least partially fills some or all of the openings in opening 122 (e.g., layer 142 may substantially cover the entire mask 120 such that all openings in the opening are at least partially filled, or the layer may be disposed on only a portion of the mask such that only some openings in the opening are at least partially filled). In one or more embodiments, mask 120 has a first refractive index (the refractive index of the material forming the mask), and at least some openings in opening 122 are at least partially filled with polymeric material 144 having a second refractive index. In one or more embodiments, the real part of the second refractive index is less than the real part of the first refractive index. For example, in one or more embodiments, the real part of the first refractive index minus the real part of the second refractive index is at least about 0.05. In one or more embodiments, the real part of the first refractive index may be less than the real part of the second refractive index. Unless otherwise specified, the refractive index is understood to be determined at a wavelength of 532 nm.

[0097] In one or more embodiments, the material 144 in the opening 122 is air- or optically transparent. In one or more embodiments, each opening 122, at least a majority of the openings, has an optical density of less than about 0.3, or less than about 0.2, or less than about 0.15, or less than about 0.1. In one or more embodiments, the mask 120 has a substantially uniform optical density greater than about 1.5 between adjacent openings 122. A substantially uniform optical density means an optical density that is uniform to a very close approximation over a length scale of about 1 micrometer. For example, between openings having a diameter of about 1 micrometer, each cylindrical region through the mask 120 may have an optical density within about 15%, or about 10%, or about 5% of the average optical density of such regions. In one or more embodiments, a mask having a substantially uniform optical density is obtained by using optically absorbing particles (e.g., carbon black particles) in the polymer layer 124, the optically absorbing particles having an average diameter of substantially less than 1 micrometer (e.g., less than about 250 nm) and being substantially uniformly dispersed in the layer at a sufficiently high fill amount such that the average center-to-center spacing between the particles is less than about 1 micrometer.

[0098] in addition, Figure 6 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the optical structure 200. This article is about... Figures 1 to 4 Optical structure 10 and Figure 5 All the design considerations and possibilities described in the optical construct 100 also apply to the optical construct 100. Figure 6 An optical construct 200 is provided. The optical construct 200 includes a lens film 212, a mask 220, and an additional layer 242. The lens film has a plurality of lenses 218 disposed on a first main surface 214 of the lens film. The mask is configured to be adjacent to a second main surface 230 of the lens film, and the additional layer is configured to be adjacent to a second main surface 216 of the mask. The additional layer 242 may include any suitable additional layer described herein, for example, Figure 5 Additional layer 142.

[0099] Figure 6 The optical structure 200 and Figures 1 to 4 The construct 10 and Figure 5One difference between the constructs 100 is that construct 200 includes a layer or film 246 disposed between lens film 212 and mask 220. Layer or film 246 may be a wavelength-selective layer or film. For example, layer or film 246 may include dyes and / or pigments that absorb in some wavelength ranges but not in others. Alternatively, layer 246 may be a multilayer optical film that reflects in some wavelength ranges but not in others. As is known in the art, multilayer optical films comprising alternating polymer layers can be used to provide desired reflection and transmission in desired wavelength ranges by appropriately selecting layer thicknesses. Multilayer optical films and methods of fabricating multilayer optical films are described, for example, in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,882,774 (Jonza et al.); 6,179,948 (Merrill et al.); 6,783,349 (Neavin et al.); 6,967,778 (Wheatley et al.); and 9,162,406 (Neavin et al.). In one or more embodiments, layer 246 is substantially transmissive to the visible wavelength range (e.g., about 450 nm to about 650 nm) and the near-infrared wavelength range (e.g., 900 nm to 1000 nm). In one or more embodiments, layer 246 absorbs or reflects in at least a portion of the wavelength range, for example, from about 650 nm to about 900 nm.

[0100] Another difference between optical construct 200 and constructs 10 and 100 is that construct 200 includes a layer 248 disposed on a structured first main surface 214 of lens film 212. Layer 248 may have a main surface 250 substantially conforming to the structured main surface 214 and a generally flat main surface 252 opposite to it. In other words, layer 248 may substantially planarize the structured first main surface 214. Layer 248 may be a low refractive index layer. In one or more embodiments, layer 248 has a refractive index, for example, less than about 1.4, or less than about 1.35, or less than about 1.3, or in the range of about 1.1 to about 1.35 or to about 1.3. In one or more embodiments, layer 248 may have a refractive index at least 0.1, at least 0.2, or at least 0.3 lower than the refractive index of lens film 212. The low refractive index layer can be a nanoporous layer, as described, for example, in U.S. Patent Publications 2013 / 0011608 (Wolk et al.) and 2013 / 0235614 (Wolk et al.).

[0101] In one or more implementations, this can be omitted. Figure 5 Component 142 and Figure 6 The elements 242, 246, and 248, or both or all three of them. In one or more embodiments, layer or film 246 is omitted, and layer 142 / 242 includes dyes and / or pigments that absorb in some wavelength ranges but not in other wavelength ranges.

[0102] The various embodiments of the optical constructs described herein can be manufactured using any suitable one or more techniques. For example, Figures 7 to 9 This is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of the method 300 for fabricating the optical structure 10. Although regarding... Figures 1 to 4 The optical construct 10 describes method 300, but this method can be used to manufacture any suitable optical construct. Figure 7 As shown, method 300 includes setting a plurality of microlenses 18 on a first main surface 14 of lens film 12 using any suitable one or more techniques (e.g., imprinting).

[0103] exist Figure 8 In method 300, a mask 20 is positioned adjacent to a second primary surface 16 of a lens film 12 using any suitable technique or one or more. In one or more embodiments, a polymer layer 24 of the mask 20 can be disposed on the second primary surface 16 of the lens film 12 by inkjet printing. In one or more embodiments, the polymer layer 24 can be disposed on the second primary surface 16 of the lens film 12 by coating the polymer layer 24 onto the second primary surface 16. In one or more embodiments, the polymer layer 24 can be formed separately and then attached to the lens film 12, for example, using any suitable adhesive. For a polymer layer 24 comprising a UV-curable composition, the polymer layer 24 can be cured using a suitable UV light source 2 before the nanoparticle layer 26 is deposited onto the polymer layer. Additionally, in embodiments where the polymer layer 24 comprises a solvent, a precursor composition comprising an organic material and a solvent can be disposed on the second primary surface 16 of the lens film 12, and the solvent can be evaporated from the coated precursor composition, for example, using a heat source or by air drying, to form the polymer layer. The nanoparticle layer 26 can be disposed on or adjacent to the polymer layer 24 using any suitable technique or one or more (e.g., pulsed vapor deposition).

[0104] The nanoparticle layer 26 can be disposed on the polymer layer 24 using any suitable one or more techniques (e.g., printing, coating, etc.). The nanoparticles of the nanoparticle layer 26 can be sintered using any suitable one or more techniques (before or after setting the plurality of openings 22 to pass through the mask 20).

[0105] In one or more embodiments, the nanoparticle layer 26 can be disposed on the second main surface 16 of the lens film 12 using any suitable one or more techniques, and the polymer layer 24 can be disposed on the nanoparticle layer 26 using any suitable one or more techniques. Additionally, in one or more embodiments, the polymer layer 24 can be disposed on the second main surface 16 of the lens film 12, the nanoparticle layer 26 can be disposed on the polymer layer 24, and the second polymer layer (e.g., ...) can be disposed on the nanoparticle layer 26 using any suitable one or more techniques. Figure 12 The second polymer layer 628 of the optical construct 600 is disposed on the nanoparticle layer. In one or more embodiments, the nanoparticle layer 26 may be disposed at least partially within the polymer layer 24 using any suitable one or more techniques.

[0106] exist Figure 9 In one or more embodiments, method 300 further includes configuring a plurality of openings 22 through the mask 20 using any suitable one or more techniques. In one or more embodiments, a light source 4 (e.g., a laser) emits light 6 such that the light is incident on a structured first main surface 14 of the lens film 12 and focused by a lens onto the mask 20, i.e., irradiating the mask through a plurality of microlenses 18 to form a plurality of openings 22. The light source may emit any suitable light 6, such as infrared light. The light 6 ablates selected portions of the mask 20 to form openings 22. In one or more embodiments, the openings 22 formed by the light 6 are arranged along a first direction and a second direction and aligned in a one-to-one correspondence with the microlenses 18 of the plurality of microlenses. In one or more embodiments, the plurality of openings 22 are configured to pass through the polymer layer 24 of the mask 20 before the polymer layer 24 of the mask 20 is cured.

[0107] Light 6 may have a wavelength within the range described elsewhere herein (e.g., 1020 nm to 1100 nm). Light 6 may have a wavelength at a peak intensity of, for example, about 1064 nm. Light 6 may have a beam diameter that fills or substantially fills at least one microlens 18. At least one of the polymer layer 24 or nanoparticle layer 26 of mask 20 may be optically absorptive for the wavelength range of light 6. In one or more embodiments, light 6 emitted by source 4 may include infrared light, and at least one of the polymer layer 24 or nanoparticle layer 26 may be optically absorptive for the infrared wavelength range and for the visible wavelength range (e.g., at least from about 450 nm to about 650 nm). At least one of the polymer layer 24 and nanoparticle layer 26 may be optically absorptive for the visible wavelength and for the infrared light 6, such that the optically absorptive material absorbs the infrared light for ablation and provides the desired optical density to the resulting mask 20. In one or more embodiments, each of at least a majority of the openings 22 has an optical density of less than about 0.3 or an optical density within any range described elsewhere herein for the opening. The resulting optical construct 10 may have an optical transmittance as described elsewhere, and / or may include openings 22 at opening ends having roundness and / or area distribution (e.g., average area and standard deviation of area) as further described elsewhere.

[0108] A coherent pulse source 4 (e.g., a laser) with wavelengths ranging from 400 nm to 1200 nm, or 500 nm to 1100 nm, or 1000 nm to 1100 nm, or 1020 nm to 1100 nm can be used to generate the opening 22. For example, the source 4 can be a doped fiber laser that generates wavelengths in the near-infrared (NIR) band, around 1020 nm to around 1100 nm. Various lasers can be used as the source 4. Suitable lasers include, for example, Nd:YAG lasers, fiber lasers, and diode lasers. For example, first-order, second-order, or third-order harmonics can be used. The desired wavelength range of the source 4 may depend on the polymer and optically absorbing material used in the mask 20.

[0109] As described herein, various embodiments of the optical construct can be used with any suitable device, component, or system. For example, Figure 10 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of one embodiment of electronic device 400. Device 400 may include... Figures 1 to 4 An optical construct 10 and a sensor 402 are provided, the sensor being positioned adjacent to the optical construct such that a mask 20 is disposed between the lens film and the optical sensor. As used herein, the phrase "adjacent to the optical construct" means that the sensor 402 is positioned such that light transmitted through the second main surface 30 of the mask 20 is incident on the sensor 402. Although depicted as including Figures 1 to 4The device 400 may include an optical construct 10, but may include any suitable optical construct. The device 400 may also include a light source 404 in optical communication with the optical sensor 402 and a display 406 configured such that the optical construct 10 is disposed between the optical sensor 402 and the display. As used herein, the term "optically communication" means that light 405 emitted by the source 404 can be received by the sensor 402, whether such light is directly or indirectly incident on the sensor. The light source 404 may include any suitable light source, such as an infrared source, a visible source, etc.

[0110] Display 406 extends along a first (x-axis) direction and a second (y-axis) direction. Display 406 may include any suitable display. In one or more embodiments, display 406 may be an emitting display comprising a plurality of pixels configured to generate and emit light. In one or more embodiments, display 406 may be an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display or a liquid crystal display (LCD). In one or more embodiments, display 406 may be a translucent display panel that allows at least some light to transmit through the display. In one or more embodiments, optical construct 10 may be bonded to display 406 using a first adhesive layer 408 (e.g., an optically transparent adhesive layer). In some cases, the first adhesive layer 408 may have a refractive index of less than about 1.3 for at least one visible wavelength.

[0111] Optical sensor 402 is disposed opposite to display 406. Optical construct 10 may be disposed between display 406 and optical sensor 402. In one or more embodiments, optical construct 10 may be bonded to optical sensor 402 using a second adhesive layer 409 (e.g., an optically transparent adhesive layer). In one or more embodiments, optical sensor 402 may include a plurality of sensor pixels 403 aligned in a one-to-one correspondence with a plurality of microlenses 18 and openings 22.

[0112] The light source 404 can be any suitable light source, such as an infrared light source. Such an infrared light source 404 could be infrared light from the sun, or an indoor heater that emits infrared light, etc. The light source 404 is configured to emit light 405 towards the front surface 407 of the display 406.

[0113] In one or more embodiments, the optical sensor 402 may be configured to detect fingerprints, and the electronic device 400 including the optical construct 10 may be configured to determine whether the detected fingerprint matches that of an authorized user. In such embodiments, light 405 from a light source 404 may be incident on, for example, a user's fingerprint and directed through the optical construct 10, wherein a lens 18 focuses the light through an opening 22 and to the sensor 402. Light not directed through the opening 22 may be absorbed by a mask 20. Various light sources may direct light (e.g., ambient light or light from the display 406 that is not directed from the user's fingerprint) to the mask 20 for absorption, and thus reduce the signal-to-noise ratio of the sensor 402.

[0114] In one or more embodiments, device 400 may be included in a biometric or bioanalytical component (e.g., which optically determines hemoglobin concentration) and / or a molecular analysis component (e.g., which optically determines blood glucose level).

[0115] Example

[0116] Unless otherwise stated, all portions and percentages in the examples are by weight.

[0117] Hard coating premix

[0118] A hard coating premix was prepared by mixing 33 g of monomer blend (HDODA / PETA (a 50 / 50 weight mixture of SR238 / SR295 from Sartomer, Exton, PA) with 65 mM MEK, 1 g IRGACURE 819 and 1 g IRGACURE 184 (BASF, Florham Park, New Jersey).

[0119] Visible pigment dispersion 1

[0120] Visible pigment dispersion 1 was prepared by dissolving 77.5 g of Solplus D510 (Lubrizol, Wickliffe, OH) in 300 g of MEK. Additionally, 51 g of Lumogen FK4280 (BASF) was slowly added until all pigments were wetted, and the mixture was then allowed to mix for 30 minutes. The mixture was transferred to a Minicer bead mill and milled using 0.2 mm YTZ grinding media. Milling continued for 2 hours, and the resulting dispersion was diluted to measure particle size.

[0121] IR Dispersion 2 - Hard Coating Blend

[0122] IR dispersion 2-hard coating blend was prepared by mixing the following components in an amber-colored wide-mouth bottle and homogenizing them:

[0123] • 316g IR dispersion 2, which is a dispersion of potassium tungsten oxide nanoparticles in Dowanol (Dow Chemical Company, Midland, MI), and prepared by the method described in Example CE-B of Sharma et al., PCT Publication WO 2020 / 016755 A1.

[0124] • 300g hard coating premix (36.7%, solids)

[0125] • 175 g of a 60% by weight monomer mixture (a 50 / 50 by weight mixture of HDODA / PETA (Sartomer SR238 / SR295)) in MEK solution.

[0126] Coating solution 1

[0127] 2 g of IR dispersion 2-hard coating blend and 1.15 g of visible pigment dispersion 1 were mixed in a glass vial. Homogenization was performed using a vortex mixer.

[0128] Coating solution 2

[0129] Mix 3 g of IR dispersion 2 (hard coating blend) with 1.5 g of IR dispersion 3 in a glass vial. Add 60 mg of Darocur 4265 (BASF) to the resulting mixture and homogenize the mixture using a vortex mixer.

[0130] Coating solution 3

[0131] 5.84 g of 16 wt% cellulose acetate propionate (CAP-504-0.2) solution was mixed with 2.8 g of IR dispersion 1 and 0.44 g of Orasol Black X55 (BASF). 1 g of methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) and 1 g of Dowanol PM were then added, and the resulting mixture was homogenized using a vortex mixer.

[0132] Polymer layer deposition

[0133] Examples 1-3 were prepared as follows: Lens films were first prepared by casting acrylate resin onto a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrate and curing the resin in contact with the replication tool to form a hexagonal array of microlenses with a diameter of 20 micrometers. The back side of the microlens film was coated with the above-described coating solution using a Mayer rod to form a polymer layer, followed by coating the top of the cured / dried polymer layer with metal nanoparticles. Some polymer layers were air-dried and then oven-dried at 70°C for 2 minutes. The remaining polymer layers were first air-dried and then cured using a UV Fusion System H-Bulb at 60% power and a belt speed of 50 fpm. Two passes through the Bulb were performed to ensure complete curing. Details of the examples, coating solutions, conditions, curing methods, and substrate information are described in Table 1.

[0134] Nanoparticle layer deposition

[0135] Metal nanoparticles (silver nanoparticle ink CMD-200 from Cabot) are applied as a second coating onto the top of a pre-coated microlens sample (with a polymer layer) using Mayer rod coating. In some embodiments, a nanoparticle layer is applied as a first coating, followed by a polymer layer coating.

[0136] Comparative Example 1-3 (CE–1–3)

[0137] Comparative Examples 1-3 (CE 1-3) were prepared as described in Examples 1-3, except that the metal nanoparticle layer was omitted.

[0138] Table 1.

[0139]

[0140] Coating solution 4

[0141] 53 g of a 17.3 wt% solution of CAP-504-0.2 mixed in a Dowanol PM:MEK blend (60:40 wt) was mixed with 28 g of IR dispersion 1 (40 wt% solution in Dowanol PM) and 4.8 g of m Orasol Black X55 dissolved in 10.8 g of MEK. 27.4 g of methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) and 2.2 g of DOWANOL PM were then added, and the resulting mixture was homogenized using a vortex mixer.

[0142] Example 4

[0143] Coating solution 4 was delivered to a slot coating die at a flow rate of 43.3 cc / min using a Zenith BPB pump with a pump rate of 1.168 cc / rev to coat a 6-inch wide layer onto the back side of a 9-inch wide, 0.92 mil thick, transparent PET film with 20-micron microlens features. Based on the above flow rate, the estimated dry coating thickness at a linear velocity of 30 ft / min was approximately 3 microns. Following the coating solution, the coated web was first passed through a 10-foot-long, two-zone gap dryer to minimize airflow-induced spot defects. Both gap drying zones were maintained at ambient temperature. Immediately after the gap dryer, a three-zone air flotation oven equipped with top and bottom air bars was used to dry all volatile solvents and cool the coating temperature in the final zone. Each drying zone was approximately 2 meters long. The temperatures for zones 1, 2, and 3 were set at 150℉, 175℉, and 200℉, respectively. Metal nanoparticles were applied as a second coating onto the top of a pre-coated (polymer-layered) microlens sample using a Mayer rod coating (Mayer rod #6). The optical density of this polymer-metal nanoparticle coating was measured to be 5.4 using an X-Rite Gretag Macbeth D200-II 36.51.03 transmission densitometer.

[0144] Figure 16 This is a graph showing the percentage transmittance versus angle of incidence (i.e., angular transmittance) for Example 4, determined using the angular transmittance technique described herein. Curve 702 shows the percentage transmittance versus angle of incidence in the longitudinal direction, and curve 704 shows the percentage transmittance versus angle of incidence in the transverse direction. For Example 4, the peak transmittance T1 divided by the full width W1 at the maximum 20% is 4.44% / degree in the transverse (CW) direction and 3.15% / degree in the longitudinal (DW) direction.

[0145] Comparative Example 4 (CE–4)

[0146] Comparative Example 4 (CE-4) was prepared as described in Example 4, except that the second metal nanoparticle coating was omitted. The optical density of this coating was measured to be 2.2 using an X-Rite Gretag Macbeth D200-II 36.51.03 transmission densitometer. Figure 17 This is a graph showing the percentage transmittance versus angle of incidence for CE-4, determined using the angular transmittance technique described herein. Curve 706 shows the percentage transmittance versus angle of incidence in the transverse direction, and curve 708 shows the percentage transmittance versus angle of incidence in the longitudinal direction. For Comparative Example CE-4, the peak transmittance T1 divided by the full width W1 at the maximum 20% is 3.95% / degree in the transverse (CW) direction and 2.59% / degree in the longitudinal (DW) direction.

[0147] Comparative Example 5 (CE–5)

[0148] Comparative Example 5 (CE-5) was prepared by coating only a metal nanoparticle layer on the back side of the microlens film using a Mayer rod coating (Mayer rod #6). No primary polymer layer was deposited. The optical density of the metal nanoparticle coating alone was 3.15, measured using an X-Rite Gretag Macbeth D200-II36.51.03 transmission densitometer. Figure 18 This is a graph showing the percentage transmittance versus angle of incidence for CE-4, determined using the angular transmittance technique described herein. Curve 710 shows the percentage transmittance versus angle of incidence in the transverse direction, and curve 712 shows the percentage transmittance versus angle of incidence in the longitudinal direction. For Comparative Example CE-5, the peak transmittance T1 divided by the full width W1 at the maximum 20% is 4.14% / degree in the transverse (CW) direction and 2.49% / degree in the longitudinal (DW) direction.

[0149] All embodiments were laser-ablated to create openings. A 40W pulsed fiber laser (SPI Lasers, UK) operating at 1070nm wavelength was used in the experiments. A high-quality, high-intensity beam was generated by the laser. A Faraday optical isolator installed at the end of the beam-carrying fiber was used to protect the fiber laser from back reflection. The laser beam diameter after passing through the beam expander was approximately 10mm.

[0150] The beam was guided to a commercially available laser scanning head (hurrySCAN III 14) with a dielectric mirror, sourced from SCANLAB AG (Germany). After being reflected downwards by a pair of galvanometer mirrors, the beam was finally focused by an F-Theta telecentric focusing lens. A 167mm focal length focusing lens was used in the ablation experiment. The scanner was mounted on a manual Z-stage to control its position in the Z-direction.

[0151] The following parameters are used for laser ablation:

[0152] • Scanning speed: 2m / s

[0153] • Line spacing: 100μm

[0154] • Pulse length: 250ns

[0155] • Repetition rate: 20kHz

[0156] Laser power: 25% to 60%.

[0157] After the laser ablation process was completed, the cross-section of each sample was examined using a Keyence VHX-2000 microscope to confirm the quality of the resulting opening.

[0158] An image of the opening produced in some embodiments is shown in Figures 13 to 15 Each embodiment shown is processed using a laser at 20 kHz and 60% power. Images are displayed at 900x magnification. Figure 13 This is an image of Example 1 captured during transmission. Figure 14 This is an image of Example 2 taken from the nanoparticle layer side of the optical structure. Figure 15 This is an image of Example 2 captured in reflection and taken from the metal layer side of the optical structure in the reflection. The large opening in the upper right corner of the image is a defect.

[0159] Absorption rate measurement

[0160] The absorptivity of the mask layer for various samples was determined by first measuring transmittance and reflectance profiles using a Hunterlab UltraScan PRO spectrophotometer (Hunter Associates Laboratory, Reston, VA) that meets CIE, ASTM, and USP guidelines for accurate color measurement. The UltraScan PRO uses three xenon flash lamps mounted in the reflector housing as the light source. The spectrophotometer is equipped with an integrating sphere accessory. This sphere has a diameter of 152 mm (6 inches) and conforms to ASTM methods E903, D1003, E308, etc., published in “ASTM Standards on Color and Appearance Measurements”, Third Edition, ASTM, 1991. All samples were measured on the coated side, with the uncoated lens side facing a white plate. Spectra were measured in the 350–1050 nm range at an optical resolution of 5 nm and a reporting interval. HunterLab’s EasyMatch QC software facilitated the processing, display, analysis, and reporting of spectral and color measurement results.

[0161] Then, for each wavelength, the absorption rate is calculated by subtraction (100% - (transmittance% + reflectance%)).

[0162] Figure 19These are graphs showing the optical absorptivity of various optical constructs. Curve 714 represents the absorptivity of the lens film excluding the mask, curve 716 represents the absorptivity of Example 1, curve 718 represents the absorptivity of CE-1, curve 720 represents the absorptivity of Example 3, curve 722 represents the absorptivity of CE-3, curve 724 represents the absorptivity of Example 4, curve 726 represents the absorptivity of CE-4, and curve 728 represents the absorptivity of CE-5. All absorptivity curves for CE-1, CE-3, and CE-4 containing only polymer layers, and CE-5 containing only thin metal nanoparticle layers, show low absorptivity in selected portions of the visible spectrum. Combining polymer layers and thin metal nanoparticle layers together shows increased absorptivity in Examples 1, 3, and 4, respectively. The bilayer polymer-metal nanoparticle construct in Example 4 also significantly increases light absorptivity because it has a higher optical density than either the polymer (CE-4) or metal nanoparticle CE-5 layers alone.

[0163] Angular transmittance measurement

[0164] The angular transmittance through a pinhole was measured on some laser-ablated samples. The following parameters were used for laser ablation:

[0165] • Scanning speed: 2m / s

[0166] • Line spacing: 70μm

[0167] • Pulse length: 30ns

[0168] • Repetition rate: 30kHz

[0169] Laser power: Approximately 25%

[0170] • Focal point of motion: approximately 7 mm above the membrane sample.

[0171] Microlens samples were measured using a custom goniometer system consisting of a collimated light source and a silicon detector. The light source was a green LED with an emission wavelength of 530 nm attached to the collimating lens; both were from Thorlabs. The light source was stationary and had a fixed illumination angle. The silicon detector, with a 20 mm × 20 mm photosensitive area, was also purchased from Thorlabs. After the microlens sample was clamped to the silicon detector, it was rotated together with the detector along two orthogonal axes, and the angular transmittance of the sample was calculated based on the measured power transfer.

[0172] All references and publications cited herein are expressly incorporated in their entirety by reference, except where they may directly conflict with this disclosure. Exemplary embodiments of this disclosure have been discussed, and possible variations within the scope of this disclosure have been mentioned. These and other variations and modifications in this disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of this disclosure, and it should be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the exemplary embodiments set forth herein. Therefore, this disclosure is limited only to the claims provided below.

Claims

1. An optical structure comprising: Lens film, the lens film comprising an outermost structured first main surface and an opposite outermost flat second main surface, the structured first main surface comprising a plurality of microlenses; and A mask is configured to be adjacent to a second main surface of the lens film and includes a polymer layer, a nanoparticle layer, and a plurality of laser ablation openings configured to pass through the mask, the openings being aligned with the microlens in a one-to-one correspondence. The nanoparticle layer comprises sintered nanoparticles that are sintered together after the opening is ablated by infrared laser through the mask, wherein the nanoparticles are visible and transparent in at least the range of 450 nm to 650 nm and absorb infrared light.

2. The optical construct according to claim 1, wherein the polymer layer is adapted to absorb light.

3. The optical construct of claim 1, wherein the nanoparticle layer is adapted to reflect a first portion of light incident thereon and absorb a second portion of light incident thereon.

4. The optical construct according to claim 1, wherein the polymer layer comprises potassium tungsten oxide nanoparticles.

5. The optical construct of claim 1, wherein the polymer layer comprises mixed-valence tungsten oxide nanoparticles.

6. The optical construct of claim 1, wherein the polymer layer comprises silica nanoparticles.

7. The optical construct according to claim 1, wherein the polymer layer comprises metal nanoparticles disposed within the polymer layer.

8. The optical construct according to claim 1, wherein the nanoparticles of the nanoparticle layer comprise functionalized nanoparticles.

9. The optical construct according to claim 1, wherein the nanoparticle layer is adapted to absorb light having a wavelength of at least 400 nm and not greater than 1500 nm.

10. The optical construct according to claim 1, wherein the nanoparticles of the nanoparticle layer comprise metal nanoparticles.

11. The optical construct according to claim 1, wherein the nanoparticles of the nanoparticle layer comprise oxide nanoparticles.

12. The optical construct according to claim 1, wherein the nanoparticles of the nanoparticle layer comprise plasma nanoparticles.

13. The optical construct according to claim 1, wherein the nanoparticle layer comprises a single layer of nanoparticles.

14. An electronic device, the electronic device comprising: An optical construct, the optical construct comprising: Lens film, the lens film comprising an outermost structured first main surface and an opposite outermost flat second main surface, the structured first main surface comprising a plurality of microlenses; and A mask, configured to be adjacent to a second primary surface of the lens film, and comprising a polymer layer, a nanoparticle layer, and a plurality of laser ablation openings configured to pass through the mask, the openings being aligned one-to-one with the microlens; wherein the nanoparticle layer comprises nanoparticles sintered together after laser ablation of the openings through the mask; wherein the nanoparticles are visible and transparent in at least the range of 450 nm to 650 nm and absorb infrared light; and An optical sensor is configured to be adjacent to the optical structure such that the mask is disposed between the lens film and the optical sensor.

15. The device of claim 14, wherein the optical sensor comprises a plurality of sensor pixels, the plurality of sensor pixels being aligned in a one-to-one correspondence with a microlens of a plurality of microlenses and an opening of a plurality of openings.

16. The device of claim 14, wherein the nanoparticle layer of the mask is disposed between the second main surface of the lens film and the polymer layer.

17. The device of claim 14, wherein the nanoparticle layer of the mask is at least partially disposed within the polymer layer.

18. A biometric or bioanalytical component, said biometric or bioanalytical component comprising the electronic device according to claim 14.

19. A molecular analysis assembly, the molecular analysis assembly comprising the electronic device according to claim 14.

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