Optical device with orientation modulator layer

Abstract

The invention provides an optical device with an orientation modulator layer. An optical device includes a reflector layer having a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, a third surface, and a fourth surface opposite the third surface; and a first selective light modulation agent layer, the first selective light modulation agent layer being external to the first surface of the reflector layer; wherein at least one of the third surface and the fourth surface includes an orientation modulator layer. A method of manufacturing an optical device is also disclosed.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of an application with a filing date of July 1, 2019, application number 201910585145.5, and invention name “Optical device with azimuthal modulator layer”. Technical Field

[0002] The present disclosure generally relates to articles in the form of foils, sheets, and / or flakes, such as optical devices. The optical device may include a reflector layer having a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, a third surface, and a fourth surface opposite the third surface; and a first selective light modulator layer, the first selective light modulator layer being external to the first surface of the reflector layer; wherein at least one of the third surface and the fourth surface includes an azimuth modulator layer. A method of manufacturing an optical device is also disclosed. Background Art

[0003] The optical properties of the pigment are based on the components present in the pigment. For example, a "white" reflector layer, such as a reflector layer made of aluminum, will provide a limited color space property for the pigment. In addition, the use of an aluminum reflector layer may require the addition of a corrosion protection mechanism, such as passivation, to eliminate the risk of water-induced corrosion of the aluminum. Corrosion can lead to the loss of reflector function and the formation of hydrogen. Both of these problems can be harmful to the pigment and can limit its use. In addition, the use of a "white" reflector layer can limit the ability of the pigment to produce a color flop effect and / or a color shifting effect. Summary of the invention

[0004] In one aspect, an optical device is disclosed, comprising a reflector layer having a first surface, a second surface opposite to the first surface, a third surface, and a fourth surface opposite to the third surface; and a first selective optical modulator layer, the first selective optical modulator layer being external to the first surface of the reflector layer; wherein at least one of the third surface and the fourth surface comprises an azimuthal modulator layer.

[0005] In another aspect, a method for manufacturing an optical device is disclosed, the method comprising: depositing a reflector layer on a substrate, the reflector layer having a first surface, a second surface opposite to the first surface, a third surface, and a fourth surface opposite to the third surface; depositing a first selective light modulator layer on the first surface of the reflector layer; and providing an azimuthal modulator layer on at least one of the third surface and the fourth surface of the reflector layer.

[0006] This disclosure also provides the following items:

[0007] 1) An optical device, comprising:

[0008] a reflector layer having a first surface, a second surface opposite to the first surface; a third surface and a fourth surface opposite to the third surface; and

[0009] a first selective light modulator layer, the first selective light modulator layer being exterior to the first surface of the reflector layer;

[0010] Wherein at least one of the third surface and the fourth surface comprises an azimuthal modulator layer.

[0011] 2) An optical device as described in item 1), wherein the first selective light modulator layer provides a first color attribute to the optical device.

[0012] 3) An optical device as described in item 1), wherein the azimuthal modulator layer provides a second color attribute to the optical device.

[0013] 4) An optical device as described in item 3), wherein the second color attribute is different from the first color attribute.

[0014] 5) An optical device as described in item 2) or item 4), wherein the first color attribute is presented at a first viewing angle.

[0015] 6) An optical device as described in item 3), wherein the second color attribute is presented at a second viewing angle.

[0016] 7) An optical device as described in item 6), wherein the second viewing angle is different from the first viewing angle.

[0017] 8) The optical device as described in item 1), wherein the azimuthal modulator layer protects at least one of the third surface and the fourth surface.

[0018] 9) The optical device as described in item 1), wherein the reflector layer includes a colored material.

[0019] 10) An optical device as described in item 1), wherein the azimuthal modulator layer includes a metal that is chemically converted into a colored compound.

[0020] The other features and advantages of each embodiment will be explained in part in the following description, and in part will be obvious from the description or can be known by practicing each embodiment. The purpose and other advantages of each embodiment will be realized and obtained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the description of this article. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] The present disclosure in its several aspects and embodiments may be more fully understood from the detailed description and accompanying drawings, in which:

[0022] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of an article according to aspects of the present disclosure;

[0023] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of an article according to another aspect of the present disclosure;

[0024] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of an article according to another aspect of the present disclosure;

[0025] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of an article according to another aspect of the present disclosure;

[0026] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of an article according to another aspect of the present disclosure;

[0027] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of an article according to another aspect of the present disclosure;

[0028] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of an article according to another aspect of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of an article according to another aspect of the present invention; and

[0030] Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a liquid coating process showing deposition of a layer such as a SLML layer according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0031] Like reference numerals identify like elements throughout the specification and drawings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] It should be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are merely exemplary and explanatory, and are intended to provide an explanation of various embodiments of the present teachings. In its broad and varied embodiments, articles such as optical devices, for example in the form of foils, sheets, and flakes; and methods of making articles are disclosed herein. In one example, articles including optical devices such as pigments, optical taggants, and optical security devices can be manufactured to have a simplified construction. The optical devices disclosed herein can exhibit at least one property including, but not limited to, reduced degradation of the reflector layer, reduced formation of hydrogen on the reflector layer, and improved color properties.

[0033] like Figure 1As shown in , an article 10 such as an optical device may include a reflector layer 16; and a selective light modulator layer 14 deposited on the outside of the reflector layer using a liquid coating process. In one aspect, the selective light modulator layer 14 may be a first selective light modulator layer 14 or a second selective light modulator layer 14 ', such as Figure 2 As shown in . The reflector layer 16 can be a colored reflector layer 16. The reflector layer 16 can have an open surface. The reflector layer 16 can have at least one surface including the azimuth modulator layer 12, such as Figure 3-8 as shown in .

[0034] In one aspect, article 10 can be in the form of a sheet that can be used on an object or substrate. In another aspect, article 10 can be in the form of a foil or a thin sheet. For example, article 10 can have a layered shape. In one aspect, article 10 can be an optical device. In another aspect, a composition can include an optical device and a liquid medium. The composition can be an ink, a varnish, a paint, etc. In another aspect, article 10 is an optical device in the form of a thin sheet, and the thin sheet has a thickness of 100nm to 100μm and a size of 100nm to 1mm. Article 10 can be a color shifting colorant, or can be used as a security feature for currency. Certain attributes common to the use of article 10 can include high chroma (or strong color), color changes relative to viewing angle (also known as goniochromaticity or iridescence) and flop (mirror and metallic appearances where brightness, hue or chroma change with viewing angle). Additionally, the article 10 may be metallic in color and not utilize interference to produce color. In particular, the article 10 may include additional features for increasing the angle-dependent color shift effect. Additionally, the article 10 may exhibit improved chemical protection for exposed metallic surfaces such as the edges of the reflector layer 16, but the entire article 10 need not be encapsulated.

[0035] Although the figures illustrate articles 10 such as optical devices in the form of sheets, according to various aspects of the present disclosure, articles 10 such as optical devices may also be in the form of sheets and / or foils. In addition, although the figures illustrate specific layers in a specific order, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the article 10 may include any number of layers in any order. In addition, the composition of any particular layer may be the same or different from the composition of any other layer. For example, the first selective light modulator layer (SLML) 14 may be the same or different composition as the second selective light modulator layer (SLML) 14'. In addition, the physical properties of any particular layer may be the same or different from the physical properties of any other layer. For example, the first SLML 14 may have a composition with a first refractive index, but the second SLML 14' in the same article 10 may have a different composition with a different refractive index. As another example, the first SLML 14 may have a composition at a first thickness, but the second SLML 14' may have the same composition at a second thickness different from the first thickness.

[0036] like Figure 1 As illustrated in the figure, an article 10 such as an optical device may include: a colored reflector layer 16, wherein the colored reflector layer 16 has a first surface, a second surface opposite to the first surface, and a third surface; and a selective light modulator layer, wherein the selective light modulator layer is outside the first surface of the colored reflector layer 16.

[0037] The reflector layer 16 can be a broadband reflector, for example, a spectral and Lambertian reflector (e.g., white TiO2). The reflector layer 16 can include a metal. The reflector layer 16 can be a colored reflector layer. As used herein, a "colored reflector layer" includes non-ferrous metals, non-ferrous metal alloys, non-ferrous non-metals, and metals that are chemically converted into colored compounds. The colored reflector layer 16 can be a non-ferrous metal or non-ferrous metal alloy selected from copper, gold, silver, and bronze. The colored reflector layer 16 can be a non-ferrous non-metal, including organic materials such as polyacetylene, conductive polymers (e.g., polypyrrole, PEDOT, polyaniline), semiconductors, and inorganic materials such as metal oxides, sulfides, chlorides, fluorides, titanates, zirconates, rare earth-doped CaF2, transition metal-doped SrTiO3 and CaTiO3, iron-doped or sulfur-doped sodalite, and metal coordination complexes.

[0038] In one aspect, reflector layer 16, such as a colored reflector layer, may include a metal that is chemically converted into a colored compound. For example, the chemically converted metal may include aluminum, stainless steel, and white materials. In one aspect, the metal to be chemically converted may include, but is not limited to, aluminum, copper, stainless steel, silver, gold, zinc, iron, bronze, manganese, titanium, zirconium, vanadium, niobium, chromium, molybdenum, nickel, tungsten, tin, indium, bismuth, an alloy of any of these metals, or a combination thereof. The conversion process may be any process that converts a colorless metal or a white metal into a colored compound. The conversion process may include subjecting a colorless metal or a white metal to a reactant.

[0039] Reactant can be in any state, such as plasma state, gaseous state, solid state or liquid state or its combination.Reactant can comprise any chemical factor or physical factor that can cause at least a portion of reaction with colorless metal or white metal in a controlled manner.In an example, water and solvent type environment can be used as reactant.In some instances, conversion process can comprise using various types of chemical reactant, comprise intermittent stirred tank reactant and continuous stirred tank reactant, tubular reactant, tumbling bed reactant (tumbling bed reactant), fluidized bed reactant, continuous flow tube and intermittent furnace.

[0040] The chemical bath composition used herein may include an inorganic compound or an organic compound. Examples of inorganic compounds may include at least one of the following: sulfur, sulfide, sulfate, oxide, hydroxide, isocyanate, thiocyanate, molybdate, chromate, permanganate, carbonate, thiosulfate, colloidal metal, inorganic salt and mixture thereof. Examples of organic compounds may include: organic compounds containing sulfur, such as mercaptans, thioamines, oxythioamines, thioureas, thiocyanates; organic compounds containing nitrogen, such as amines and isocyanates; organic compounds containing oxygen; organic compounds containing silicon, such as silanes; or combinations thereof. In addition, the chemical bath may include at least one of the following: an inorganic salt or organic salt of a metal, or a metal organic compound of a metal. In yet another aspect, the chemical bath may include an oxidant, a surface modifier and / or an inhibitor.

[0041] In one aspect, the nonferrous or white metal present in the reflector layer 16 can be fully converted or partially converted, such as 99.9% converted, including all percentage conversion ranges therebetween.

[0042] In one aspect, the colored reflector layer 16 does not include aluminum or white materials, eg, aluminum or white materials that have not been chemically converted to colored compounds.

[0043] In one example, the material for the reflector layer 16 can include any material having reflectance characteristics within a desired spectral range, such as any material having a reflectance within a range from 5% to 100% within a desired spectral range.

[0044] The thickness of the reflector layer 16 may be in the range of from about 5 nm to about 5000 nm, although this range should not be considered limiting. For example, a lower thickness limit may be selected such that the reflector layer 16 may provide a maximum transmittance of 0.8.

[0045] To obtain sufficient optical density and / or achieve the desired effect, a higher or lower minimum thickness may be required depending on the composition of the reflector layer 16. In some examples, the upper limit may be about 5000 nm, about 4000 nm, about 3000 nm, about 1500 nm, about 200 nm, and / or about 100 nm. In one aspect, the thickness of the reflector layer 16 may be in the range of from about 10 nm to about 5000 nm, for example, in the range of from about 15 nm to about 4000 nm, in the range of from about 20 nm to about 3000 nm, in the range of from about 25 nm to about 2000 nm, in the range of from about 30 nm to about 1000 nm, in the range of from about 40 nm to about 750 nm, or in the range of from about 50 nm to about 500 nm, such as in the range of from about 60 nm to about 250 nm or in the range of from about 70 nm to about 200 nm.

[0046] As shown in the accompanying drawings, for example Figure 1 , at least two surfaces / sides of the reflector layer 16, such as the right (third) surface / side and the left (fourth) surface / side as shown, can be open. In one aspect, if the article 10 is in the form of a sheet or foil, then the reflector layer 16 can include more than the four surfaces illustrated in the figures. In those examples, for example, one surface, two surfaces, three surfaces, four surfaces, or five surfaces of the reflector layer 16 can be open to the air. In one example, the open sides, i.e., the surfaces of the reflector layer 16 that do not include the outer layer, can be advantageous for angle-dependent color variation. In another aspect, as Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown in the figure, the article 10 may include a non-open reflector layer 16 and / or SLML layer 14, that is, a reflector layer 16 and / or SLML layer 14 having an orientation layer 12, 12' on the outside of the side surface such as the side surface of the reflector layer 16 and / or SLML layer 14. In another aspect, any surface of the reflector layer 16, SLML 14 and / or orientation layer 12 may also include a functional layer (not shown) containing functional molecules.

[0047] In one aspect, the article 10, such as an optical device, may include a reflector layer 16 having a first color, such as a colored reflector layer; and the selective light modulator layer 14 has a second color that is the same as the first color, such as Figure 1 For example, the reflector layer 16 may be red, and the selective light modulator layer may also be red.

[0048] In another aspect, the article 10, such as an optical device, may include a reflector layer 16 having a first color, such as a colored reflector layer; and the selective light modulator layer 14 has a second color different from the first color, such as Figure 1 For example, the reflector layer 16 may be red and the selective light modulator layer 14 may be blue.

[0049] Article 10, such as an optical device, may include a selective light modulator layer 14 as a first selective light modulator layer 14; and may also include a second selective light modulator layer 14'. The first selective light modulator layer 14 is present on a first surface of a reflector layer 16, and the second selective light modulator layer 14' is present on a second surface of the reflector layer 16, such as Figure 2 . Each of the first selective optical modulator layer 14 and the second selective optical modulator layer 14' may have the same or different colors. In addition, the reflector layer 16 may be a colored reflector layer 16 having the same or different colors as each of the first selective optical modulator layer 14 and the second selective optical modulator layer 14'. For example, the first selective optical modulator layer 14 may be the second color red, the reflector layer may be the first color blue, and the second selective optical modulator layer 14' may be red. In another aspect, the first selective optical modulator layer 14 may be the second color red, the reflector layer may include copper and may be the first color red (possibly with a different hue), and the second selective optical modulator layer 14' may be red. In a further aspect, the first selective optical modulator layer 14 may be the second color red, the reflector layer may be the first color blue, and the second selective optical modulator layer 14' may be yellow.

[0050] like Figure 3-8, the article 10 can exhibit a metallic effect because the edge of an article, such as a sheet or optical device, can act as a secondary color-defining feature, such as an azimuthal color attribute. In one aspect, the article 10 can include a reflector layer 16 having a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, a third surface, and a fourth surface opposite the third surface; and a first selective optical modulator layer 14, the first selective optical modulator layer 14 being external to the first surface of the reflector layer 16; wherein at least one of the third surface and the fourth surface of the reflector layer 16 includes the azimuthal modulator layer 12. The article 10 can also include a second selective optical modulator layer 14', the second selective optical modulator layer 14' being external to the second surface of the reflector layer 16. The reflector layer 16 can be as described above. The first selective optical modulator layer 14, the second selective optical modulator layer 14', the first azimuthal modulator layer 12, and the second azimuthal modulator layer 12' can be as described below.

[0051] The first selective light modulator layer 14 can provide a first color attribute to the article 10, such as an optical device. For example, the first selective light modulator layer 14 can provide a red color to the optical device. The first color attribute can be presented at a first viewing angle.

[0052] The azimuth modulator layer 12, 12' can provide a second color attribute to the article 10, such as an optical device. For example, the azimuth modulator layer 12, 12' can provide a black color to the optical device. The second color attribute can be presented at a second viewing angle, where the second viewing angle is different from the first viewing angle. The second color attribute can be different from the first color attribute. The azimuth modulator layer 12, 12' can allow for the introduction of color hues, such as visible from viewing angles other than normal, into the article 10, which can have their first color attribute defined by the selective light modulator layer 14.

[0053] like Figure 3 , the article 10 may include: a reflector layer 16; a selective light modulator layer 14, the selective light modulator layer 14 being external to a first surface of the reflector layer 16; and an azimuthal modulator layer 12, the azimuthal modulator layer 12 being external to a third surface of the reflector layer 16. In one aspect, the azimuthal modulator layer 12 may protect at least one of the third surface and the fourth surface of the reflector layer 16. The second surface opposite the first surface of the reflector layer 16 and the fourth surface opposite the third surface of the reflector layer 16 may be open to air. The reflector layer 16 may be as described above. In one aspect, the reflector layer 16 may include a colored material.

[0054] like Figure 4As shown in , article 10 can include: a reflector layer 16; a first selective optical modulator layer 14, the first selective optical modulator layer 14 is external to a first surface of the reflector layer 16; a second selective optical modulator layer 14', the second selective optical modulator layer 14' is external to a second surface of the reflector layer 16; and an azimuthal modulator layer 12, the azimuthal modulator layer 12 is external to a third surface of the reflector layer 16. In one aspect, the azimuthal modulator layer 12 can protect at least one of the third surface and the fourth surface of the reflector layer 16. The fourth surface opposite the third surface of the reflector layer 16 can be open to air. The reflector layer 16 can be as described above. In one aspect, the reflector layer 16 can include a colored material.

[0055] like Figure 5 , the article 10 may include: a reflector layer 16; a first selective optical modulator layer 14, the first selective optical modulator layer 14 being external to a first surface of the reflector layer 16; a first azimuthal modulator layer 12, the first azimuthal modulator layer 12 being external to a third surface of the reflector layer 16; and a second azimuthal modulator layer 12', the second azimuthal modulator layer 12' being external to a fourth surface of the reflector layer 16. In one aspect, at least one of the first azimuthal modulator layer 12 and the second azimuthal modulator layer 12' may protect at least one of the third surface and the fourth surface of the reflector layer 16. The second surface opposite the first surface of the reflector layer 16 may be open to air. The reflector layer 16 may be as described above. In one aspect, the reflector layer 16 may include a colored material.

[0056] like Figure 6 , the article 10 may include a reflector layer 16; a first selective optical modulator layer 14, the first selective optical modulator layer 14 being external to a first surface of the reflector layer 16; a second selective optical modulator layer 14', the second selective optical modulator layer 14' being external to a second surface of the reflector layer 16; a first azimuthal modulator layer 12, the first azimuthal modulator layer 12 being external to a third surface of the reflector layer 16; and a second azimuthal modulator layer 12', the second azimuthal modulator layer 12' being external to a fourth surface of the reflector layer 16. In one aspect, at least one of the first azimuthal modulator layer 12 and the second azimuthal modulator layer 12' may protect at least one of the third surface and the fourth surface of the reflector layer 16. The reflector layer 16 may be as described above. In one aspect, the reflector layer 16 may include a colored material.

[0057] like Figure 7As shown in , the article 10 may include a reflector layer 16; a first selective optical modulator layer 14, the first selective optical modulator layer 14 being external to a first surface of the reflector layer 16; a first azimuthal modulator layer 12, the first azimuthal modulator layer 12 being external to a third surface of the reflector layer 16 and external to a third surface of the first selective optical modulator layer 14; and a second azimuthal modulator layer 12', the second azimuthal modulator layer 12' being external to a fourth surface of the reflector layer 16 and external to a fourth surface of the first selective optical modulator layer 14. The first selective optical modulator layer 14 may have a first surface; a second surface opposite the first surface; a third surface; and a fourth surface opposite the third surface. In one aspect, at least one of the first azimuthal modulator layer 12 and the second azimuthal modulator layer 12' may protect at least one of: a third surface of the reflector layer 16, a fourth surface of the reflector layer 16, a third surface of the first selective optical modulator layer 14, and a fourth surface of the first selective optical modulator layer 14. The reflector layer 16 may be as described above. In one aspect, reflector layer 16 can include a colored material.

[0058] like Figure 8 As shown in , the article 10 may include a reflector layer 16; a first selective optical modulator layer 14, the first selective optical modulator layer 14 being external to a first surface of the reflector layer 16; a second selective optical modulator layer 14', the second selective optical modulator layer 14' being external to a second surface of the reflector layer 16; a first azimuthal modulator layer 12, the first azimuthal modulator layer 12 being external to a third surface of the reflector layer 16, external to a third surface of the first selective optical modulator layer 14, and external to a third surface of the second selective optical modulator layer 14'; and a second azimuthal modulator layer 12', the second azimuthal modulator layer 12' being external to a fourth surface of the reflector layer 16, external to a fourth surface of the first selective optical modulator layer 14, and external to a fourth surface of the second selective optical modulator layer 14'. The first selective optical modulator layer 14 and the second selective optical modulator layer 14' may each independently have a first surface; a second surface opposite the first surface; a third surface; and a fourth surface opposite the third surface. In one aspect, at least one of the first azimuthal modulator layer 12 and the second azimuthal modulator layer 12' can protect at least one of: a third surface of the reflector layer 16, a fourth surface of the reflector layer 16, a third surface of the first selective optical modulator layer 14, a fourth surface of the first selective optical modulator layer 14, a third surface of the second selective optical modulator layer 14', and a fourth surface of the second selective optical modulator layer 14'. The reflector layer 16 can be as described above. In one aspect, the reflector layer 16 can include a colored material.

[0059] about Figure 3-8, the azimuth modulator layer 12, 12' may include a metal that is chemically converted into a colored compound, as disclosed above with respect to the reflector layer 16. In one aspect, the azimuth modulator layer 12, 12' may also include at least one of a pigment and an organic dye. The azimuth modulator layer 12, 12' may protect the surface of the article 10 from corrosion.

[0060] The article 10 disclosed herein may include a first selective light modulator layer (SLML) 14 and / or a second selective light modulator layer 14'. The SLML is a physical layer including multiple optical functions that are intended to modulate (absorb and / or emit) the light intensity of different, selected regions of a spectrum of electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength in a range from about 0.2 μm to about 20 μm. The article 10 may include an asymmetric layer structure in which the SLML 14 can selectively modulate light by means of absorption provided by a selective SLMS (discussed in more detail below). In particular, the article 10 may include a SLML 14 that selectively absorbs energy, such as light, of a specific wavelength.

[0061] The SLML 14 (and / or the materials within the SLML 14) can selectively modulate light. For example, the SLML 14 can control the amount of transmission in a specific wavelength. In some instances, the SLML 14 can selectively absorb energy of a specific wavelength (e.g., in the visible light range and / or the non-visible light range). For example, the SLML 14 can be a "colored layer" and / or a "wavelength selective absorption layer". In some instances, the specific wavelength absorbed can cause the article 10 to present a specific color. For example, the SLML 14 can appear red to the human eye (e.g., the SLML 14 can absorb wavelengths of light below about 620 nm, and thereby reflect or transmit energy wavelengths that appear red). This can be accomplished by adding selective light modulator particles (SLMPs) that are colorants (e.g., organic pigments and / or inorganic pigments and / or dyes) to a host material such as a dielectric material, which includes, but is not limited to, a polymer. For example, in some instances, the SLML 14 can be a colored plastic.

[0062] In some examples, some or all of the specific wavelengths absorbed may be in the visible range (e.g., the SLML 14 may be absorptive throughout the visible, but transparent in the infrared). The resulting article 10 will appear black, but reflect light in the infrared. In certain examples described above, the wavelengths of absorption (and / or specific visible color) of the article 10 and / or SLML 14 may depend at least in part on the thickness of the SLML 14. Additionally or alternatively, the wavelengths of energy absorbed by the SLML 14 (and / or the colors in which these layers and / or sheets appear) may depend in part on the addition of certain aspects to the SLML 14. In addition to absorbing certain wavelengths of energy, the SLML 14 may achieve at least one of: enhancing the reflector layer 16 against degradation; enabling release from a substrate; enabling custom sizing; providing a certain resistance to environmental degradation such as oxidation of aluminum or other metals and materials used in the reflector layer 16; and high performance in transmission, reflection, and absorption of light based on the composition and thickness of the SLML 14.

[0063] In some examples, in addition to or as an alternative to the SLML 14 selectively absorbing specific wavelengths of energy and / or specific wavelengths of visible light, the SLML 14 of the article 10 can control the refractive index and / or the SLML 14 can include selective light modulator particles (SLMPs) that can control the refractive index. In addition to or as an alternative to the absorption-controlling SLMP (e.g., a colorant) of the absorption-controlling SLMP, a SLMP that can control the refractive index of the SLML 14 can be included with the host material. In some examples, the host material can be combined with both the absorption-controlling SLMP and the refractive index-controlling SLMP in the SLML 14. In some examples, the same SLMP can control both absorption and refractive index.

[0064] The performance of the SLML 14 may be determined based on the selection of materials present in the SLML 14. In one aspect, the SLML 14 may improve at least one of the following properties: sheet handling, corrosion, alignment, and environmental performance of any other layer within the article 10, such as the reflector layer 16.

[0065] The first SLML 14 (and optionally the second SLML 14, the third SLML 14, the fourth SLML 14, etc.) can each independently include a host material alone, or a host material in combination with a selective light modulator system (SLMS). In one aspect, at least one of the first SLMLs 14 can include a host material. In another aspect, at least one of the first SLMLs 14 can include a host material and a SLMS. The SLMS can include selective light modulator molecules (SLMMs), selective light modulator particles (SLMPs), additives, or combinations thereof.

[0066] The composition of SLML 14 can have a solid content in a range from about 0.01% to about 100%, for example, in a range from about 0.05% to about 80%, and as a further example, in a range from about 1% to about 30%. In certain aspects, the solid content can be greater than 3%. In certain aspects, the composition of SLML 14 can have a solid content in a range from about 3% to about 100%, for example, in a range from about 4% to 50%.

[0067] The host material of the first SLML 14 can be independently a film-forming material applied as a coating liquid and used for optical and structural purposes. The host material can be used as a host (matrix) for introducing (if necessary) a guest system such as a selective light modulator system (SLMS) for providing additional light modulator properties to the article 10.

[0068] The main material can be a dielectric material. In addition or alternatively, the main material can be at least one of an organic polymer, an inorganic polymer and a composite material. Non-limiting examples of organic polymers include thermoplastics such as polyesters, polyolefins, polycarbonates, polyamides, polyimides, polyurethanes, acrylics, acrylates, polyvinyl esters, polyethers, polythiols, silicones, fluorocarbons and their various copolymers; thermosetting materials such as epoxy resins, polyurethanes, acrylates, melamine formaldehyde, urea formaldehyde and phenolic resins; and energy curable materials such as acrylates, epoxy resins, vinyl compounds (vinyls), vinyl esters, styrene and silanes. Non-limiting examples of inorganic polymers include silanes, siloxanes, titanates, zirconates, aluminates, silicates, phosphazane (phosphazane), polyborazylene (polyborazylene) and polythiazyl (polythiazyl).

[0069] The first SLML 14 can include from about 0.001% to about 100% by weight of the host material. In one aspect, the host material can be present in the SLML 14 in an amount ranging from about 0.01% to about 95% by weight of the SLML 14, such as from about 0.1% to about 90%, and as a further example, from about 1% to about 87% by weight of the SLML 14.

[0070] The SLMS for use in the SLML 14 with a host material can each independently include selective light modulator particles (SLMP), selective light modulator molecules (SLMM), additives or combinations thereof. The SLMS can also include other materials. The SLMS can provide modulation (by absorption, reflectance, fluorescence, etc.) of the amplitude of electromagnetic radiation in a selective region or the entire spectral range of interest (0.2 μm to 20 μm).

[0071] The first SLML 14 may each independently include a SLMP in a SLMS. The SLMP may be any particle that is combined with a host material to selectively control light modulation, including but not limited to a color shifting particle; a dye; a colorant, the colorant including one or more of the following: a dye, a pigment, a reflective pigment, a color shifting pigment; a quantum dot, and a selective reflector. Non-limiting examples of SLMP include: organic pigments, inorganic pigments, quantum dots, nanoparticles (selectively reflecting and / or absorbing), micelles, and the like. Nanoparticles may include but are not limited to organic materials and metal organic materials having high refractive index values ​​(n>1.6 at a wavelength of about 550 nm); metal oxides such as TiO2, ZrO2, In2O3, In2O3-SnO, SnO2, Fe x O y (wherein x and y are each independently an integer greater than 0) and WO3; metal sulfides such as ZnS and Cu x S y (wherein x and y are each independently an integer greater than 0); chalcogenides, quantum dots, metal nanoparticles; carbonates; fluorides; and mixtures thereof.

[0072] Examples of SLMMs include, but are not limited to, organic dyes, inorganic dyes, micelles, and other molecular systems containing chromophores.

[0073] In certain aspects, the SLMS of the first SLML 14 may include at least one additive, such as a curing agent and a coating aid.

[0074] The curing agent can be a compound or material that can initiate hardening, vitrification, crosslinking or polymerization of the host material. Non-limiting examples of curing agents include solvents, radical generators (via energy or chemicals), acid generators (via energy or chemicals), condensation initiators, and acid / base catalysts.

[0075] Non-limiting examples of coating aids include leveling agents, wetting agents, defoaming agents, adhesion promoters, antioxidants, UV stabilizers, curing inhibition mitigating agents, antifouling agents, corrosion inhibitors, photosensitizers, secondary crosslinkers, and infrared absorbers for enhanced infrared drying. In one aspect, the antioxidant may be present in the composition of SLML 14 in an amount ranging from about 25 ppm to about 5% by weight.

[0076] The first SLML 14 may each independently contain a solvent. Non-limiting examples of the solvent may include acetates such as ethyl acetate, propyl acetate, and butyl acetate; acetone; water; ketones such as dimethyl ketone (DMK), methyl ethyl ketone (MEK), sec-butyl methyl ketone (SBMK), tert-butyl methyl ketone (TBMK), cyclopentanone, and anisole; glycols and glycol derivatives such as propylene glycol methyl ether and propylene glycol methyl ether acetate; alcohols such as isopropyl alcohol and diacetone alcohol; esters such as malonic esters; heterocyclic solvents such as N-methylpyrrolidone; hydrocarbons such as toluene and xylene; coalescing solvents such as glycol ethers; and mixtures thereof. In one aspect, the solvent may be present in the first SLML 14 in an amount ranging from about 0% to about 99.9% by weight relative to the total weight of the SLML 14, for example, ranging from about 0.005% to about 99%, and as a further example, ranging from about 0.05% to about 90%.

[0077] In certain examples, the first SLML 14 may include a composition having at least one of: (i) a photoinitiator, (ii) an oxygen inhibition mitigation composition, (iii) a leveling agent, and (iv) a defoaming agent.

[0078] The oxygen inhibition mitigation composition can be used to mitigate oxygen inhibition of free radical materials. Molecular oxygen can quench the triplet state of the photoinitiator sensitizer, or it can scavenge free radicals that lead to reduced coating properties and / or uncured liquid surface. The oxygen inhibition mitigation composition can reduce oxygen inhibition or can improve the curing of any SLML 14.

[0079] The oxygen inhibition composition may contain more than one compound. The oxygen inhibition mitigation composition may contain at least one acrylate, such as at least one acrylate monomer and at least one acrylate oligomer. In one aspect, the oxygen inhibition mitigation composition may contain at least one acrylate monomer and two acrylate oligomers. Non-limiting examples of acrylates for use in the oxygen inhibition mitigation composition may include acrylates; methacrylates; epoxy acrylates, such as modified epoxy acrylates; polyester acrylates, such as acid-functional polyester acrylates, tetrafunctional polyester acrylates, modified polyester acrylates, and bio-derived polyester acrylates; polyether acrylates, such as amine-modified polyether acrylates, including amine-functional acrylate co-initiators and tertiary amine co-initiators; urethane acrylates, such as aromatic urethane acrylates, modified aliphatic urethane acrylates, aliphatic urethane acrylates, and urethane acrylates based on aliphatic allophanates; and monomers and oligomers thereof. In one aspect, the oxygen inhibition mitigation composition may contain at least one acrylate oligomer, such as two oligomers. At least one acrylate oligomer may be selected from / choosefrom polyester acrylates and polyether acrylates, such as mercapto-modified polyester acrylates and amine-modified polyether tetraacrylates. The oxygen inhibition mitigation composition may also include at least one monomer, such as 1,6-hexanediol diacrylate. The oxygen inhibition mitigation composition may be present in the first SLML 14 in an amount ranging from about 5% to about 95% by weight, such as from about 10% to about 90% and as a further example from about 15% to about 85% relative to the total weight of the SLML 14.

[0080] In some examples, the main material of SLML 14 can use a non-radical curing system, such as a cationic system. Cationic systems are less sensitive to the mitigation of oxygen inhibition by free radical processes, and therefore may not require an oxygen inhibition mitigation composition. In one example, the use of the monomer 3-ethyl-3-hydroxymethyloxetane does not require an oxygen mitigation composition.

[0081] In one aspect, the first SLML 14 may each independently include at least one photoinitiator, such as two photoinitiators or three photoinitiators. The photoinitiator may be used for shorter wavelengths. The photoinitiator may be active for actinic wavelengths. The photoinitiator may be a Type I photoinitiator or a Type II photoinitiator. The SLML 14 may include only Type I photoinitiators, only Type II photoinitiators, or a combination of both Type I photoinitiators and Type II photoinitiators. The photoinitiator may be present in the composition of the SLML 14 in an amount in the range of from about 0.25% to about 15% by weight, for example, in the range of from about 0.5% to about 10%, and as another example, in the range of from about 1% to about 5%, relative to the total weight of the composition of the SLML 14.

[0082] The photoinitiator can be a phosphine oxide. The phosphine oxide can include, but is not limited to, monoacylphosphine oxide and bisacylphosphine oxide. The monoacylphosphine oxide can be diphenyl(2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl)phosphine oxide. The bisacylphosphine oxide can be bis(2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl)phenylphosphine oxide. In one aspect, at least one phosphine oxide can be present in the composition of SLML 14. For example, two phosphine oxides can be present in the composition of SLML 14.

[0083] A sensitizer may be present in the composition of SLML 14 and may act as a sensitizer for a Type I photoinitiator and / or a Type II photoinitiator. The sensitizer may also act as a Type II photoinitiator. In one aspect, the sensitizer may be present in the composition of SLML 14 in an amount ranging from about 0.05% to about 10% by weight, for example, ranging from about 0.1% to about 7%, and as a further example, ranging from about 1% to about 5%, relative to the total weight of the composition of SLML 14. The sensitizer may be a thioxanthone, for example, 1-chloro-4-propoxythioxanthone.

[0084] In one aspect, the SLML 14 may include a leveling agent. The leveling agent may be a polyacrylate. The leveling agent may eliminate cratering of the composition of the SLML 14. The leveling agent may be present in the composition of the SLML 14 in an amount ranging from about 0.05% to about 10% by weight, for example, ranging from about 1% to about 7%, and as a further example, ranging from about 2% to about 5%, relative to the total weight of the composition of the SLML 14.

[0085] The first SLML 14 may also include a defoaming agent. The defoaming agent may reduce surface tension. The defoaming agent may be a liquid organic polymer that does not contain silicone. The defoaming agent may be present in the composition of the SLML 14 in an amount ranging from about 0.05% to about 5% by weight, for example, ranging from about 0.2% to about 4%, and as a further example, ranging from about 0.4% to about 3% relative to the total weight of the composition of the SLML 14.

[0086] The first SLML 14 may each independently have a refractive index greater than or less than about 1.5. For example, each SLML 14' may have a refractive index of about 1.5. The refractive index of each SLML 14 may be selected to provide a desired degree of color travel, where color travel may be defined as the change in hue angle measured in the L*a*b* color space with the viewing angle. In some instances, each SLML 14 may include a refractive index in the range of from about 1.1 to about 3.0, about 1.0 to about 1.3, or about 1.1 to about 1.2. In some instances, the refractive index of each SLML 14 may be less than about 1.5, less than about 1.3, or less than about 1.2. In some instances, if more than one SLML is present in the article 10, the SLMLs 14 may have substantially equal refractive indices or refractive indices different from each other.

[0087] The first SLML 14 can have a thickness in a range from about 1 nm to about 10000 nm, about 10 nm to about 1000 nm, about 20 nm to about 500 nm, about 1 nm to about 100 nm, about 10 nm to about 1000 nm, about 1 nm to about 5000 nm. In one aspect, the article 10, such as an optical device, can have an aspect ratio of 1:1 to 1:50 thickness to width.

[0088] However, one of the benefits of the article 10 described herein is that in certain instances, the optical effect is rendered relatively insensitive to thickness variations. Thus, in certain aspects, each SLML 14 can independently have a variation in optical thickness of less than about 5%. In one aspect, each SLML 14 can independently include a variation in optical thickness of less than about 3% across the layer. In one aspect, each SLML 14 can independently have a variation in optical thickness of less than about 1% across a layer having a thickness of about 50 nm.

[0089] In one aspect, the article 10, such as an optical device in the form of a foil, foil or sheet, may further include a substrate and / or a release layer. In one aspect, the release layer may be disposed between the substrate and the article 10.

[0090] Additionally or alternatively, the article 10 in the form of a sheet, sheet, or foil may also include a hard coating or protective layer on the article 10. In some instances, these layers (hard coating or protective layer) do not need to be of optical quality.

[0091] The articles 10 described herein, such as optical devices, can be manufactured in any manner. For example, a sheet can be manufactured and then divided, broken, ground, etc. into smaller pieces to form an optical device. In some examples, the sheet can be produced by a liquid coating process, including but not limited to the following and / or referenced Fig. 9 Describe the process.

[0092] A method for making an article 10 as described herein, for example in the form of a sheet, flake or foil, is disclosed. The method may include depositing a colored reflector layer 16 on a substrate; depositing a selective light modulator layer 14 onto the colored reflector layer 16 using a liquid coating process. The selective light modulator layer 14 may be a first selective light modulator layer, and the method may also include depositing a second selective light modulator layer 14' between the substrate and the colored reflector layer 16.

[0093] The colored reflector layer 16 is not subjected to passivation. The colored reflector layer can improve the color properties of the selective light modulator layer 14. The colored reflector layer 16 can control gassing. The colored reflector layer 16 can be deposited using a physical vapor deposition process. The colored reflector layer 16 can include non-ferrous metals, non-ferrous metal alloys, non-ferrous non-metals, and metals that are chemically converted into colored compounds. The colored reflector layer 16 can be a non-ferrous metal selected from copper, gold, and bronze. Metals that are chemically converted into colored compounds include aluminum and stainless steel. The colored reflector layer 16 can include non-ferrous non-metals, and non-ferrous non-metals include polyacetylene and organic materials.

[0094] In another aspect, a method of manufacturing an article 10, such as an optical device, is disclosed, the method including depositing a reflector layer 16 on a substrate, the reflector layer 16 having a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, a third surface, and a fourth surface opposite the third surface; depositing a first selective optical modulator layer 14 on the first surface of the reflector layer 16; and providing an azimuthal modulator layer 12 on at least one of the third surface and the fourth surface of the reflector layer 16. The method may also include depositing a second selective optical modulator layer 14' between the substrate and the reflector layer 16. The azimuthal modulator layers 12, 12' may inhibit corrosion of the reflector layer 16. The first selective optical modulator layer 14 and the second selective optical modulator layer 14' may provide a first color attribute, and the azimuthal modulator layers 12, 12' may provide a second color attribute different from the first color attribute. The azimuthal modulator layers 12, 12' may include chemically transformed portions of the reflector layer 16. The azimuthal modulator layers 12, 12' may include pigments and organic dyes.

[0095] In the method, the substrate may include a release layer. In the disclosed method, the reflector layer 16 may be deposited using known conventional deposition processes such as physical vapor deposition, chemical vapor deposition, thin film deposition, atomic layer deposition, etc., including modified techniques such as plasma enhanced and fluidized bed.

[0096] The substrate can be made of a flexible material. The substrate can be any suitable material that can receive the deposited layer. Non-limiting examples of suitable substrate materials include polymer meshes, such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), glass foil, glass sheet, polymer foil, polymer sheet, metal foil, metal sheet, ceramic foil, ceramic sheet, ionic liquid, paper, silicon wafer, etc. The substrate can vary in thickness, but can be, for example, in the range of from about 2 μm to about 100 μm, and as another example, in the range of from about 10 μm to about 50 μm.

[0097] The first SLML 14 and / or the second SLML 14' may be deposited by a liquid coating process such as a slot die process. The liquid coating process may include, but is not limited to, slot-bead coating processes, slide bead coating processes, slot curtain coating processes, slide curtain coating processes, tensioned web slot coating processes, gravure coating processes, roller coating processes, and other liquid coating and printing processes that apply a liquid to a substrate or a previously deposited layer to form a liquid layer or film that is subsequently dried and / or cured.

[0098] The substrate can then be released from the deposited layers to produce article 10. In one aspect, the substrate can be cooled to embrittle the associated release layer (if present). In another aspect, the release layer can be embrittled, for example, by heating and / or curing with photon energy or electron beam energy to increase the degree of crosslinking, which will enable peeling. The deposited layers can then be mechanically peeled off, for example, by sharply bending or brushing the surface. Using known techniques, the release layer and peeling layer can be customized to size into article 10, such as an optical device in the form of a thin sheet, foil or sheet.

[0099] In another aspect, the deposited layer can be transferred from the substrate to another surface.The deposited layer can be punched or cut to produce large flakes with well-defined size and shape.

[0100] Compared to other deposition techniques such as vapor deposition, the liquid coating process can allow the composition of the SLML 14, 14' to be transferred at a faster rate. In addition, the liquid coating process can allow a wider range of materials to be used in the SLML 14, 14' with a simple equipment setup. It is believed that the SLML 14, 14' formed using the disclosed liquid coating process can exhibit improved optical properties.

[0101] Fig. 9 The diagram shows the formation of the layer using a liquid coating process. The composition of the layer, such as SLML 14 (liquid coating composition), can be inserted into a slot die 320 and deposited on a substrate 340 to produce a wet film. Referring to the process disclosed above, the substrate 340 can include at least one of the following: a substrate, a release layer, a reflector layer 16, and a previously deposited layer. The distance from the bottom of the slot die 320 to the substrate 340 is the slot gap G. As can be seen in FIG. Fig. 9 As seen in , the liquid coating composition can be deposited with a wet film thickness D greater than a dry film thickness H. After the wet film of the liquid coating composition has been deposited on substrate 340, any solvent present in the wet film of the liquid coating composition can be evaporated. The liquid coating process continues the solidification of the wet film of the liquid coating composition to produce a cured, self-leveling layer with the correct optical thickness H (in the range from about 30nm to about 700nm). It is believed that the self-leveling ability of the liquid coating composition produces a layer with a reduced optical thickness across the layer. Ultimately, the article 10 such as an optical device comprising a self-leveling liquid coating composition can present an increased optical precision. For ease of understanding, the terms "wet film" and "dry film" will be used to refer to the liquid coating composition at different stages of the liquid coating process.

[0102] The liquid coating process may include adjusting at least one of the coating speed and the slot gap G to achieve a wet film having a predetermined thickness D. The liquid coating composition may be deposited to have a wet film thickness D in a range from about 0.1 μm to about 500 μm, for example, in a range from about 0.1 μm to about 5 μm. A liquid coating composition having a wet film thickness D within the disclosed range may produce a stable SLML layer, such as a dielectric layer, i.e., without fractures or defects, such as ribbing or streaks. In one aspect, for a stable wet film using a slot die bead mode with a coating speed of up to about 100 m / min, the wet film may have a thickness of about 10 μm. In another aspect, for a stable wet film using a slot die curtain mode with a coating speed of up to about 1200 m / min, the wet film may have a thickness of about 6-7 μm.

[0103] The liquid coating process may include a ratio of a slot gap G to a wet film thickness D of about 1 to about 100 at a speed from about 0.1 m / min to about 1000 m / min. In one aspect, at a coating speed of about 100 m / min, the ratio is about 9. In one aspect, at a coating speed of about 50 m / min, the ratio may be about 20. The liquid coating process may have a slot gap G in a range from about 0 μm to about 1000 μm. A smaller slot gap G may allow for a reduced wet film thickness. In a slot bead mode, a higher coating speed may achieve a wet film thickness greater than 10 μm.

[0104] The liquid coating process can have a coating speed in the range of from about 0.1 m / min to about 1000 m / min, such as from about 25 m / min to about 950 m / min, such as from about 100 m / min to about 900 m / min and as another example from about 200 m / min to about 850 m / min. In one aspect, the coating speed is greater than about 150 m / min, and in another example greater than about 500 m / min.

[0105] In one aspect, the coating speed for the bead mode liquid coating process can be in the range of from about 0.1 m / min to about 600 m / min, and for example in the range of from about 50 m / min to about 150 m / min. In another aspect, the coating speed for the curtain mode liquid coating process can be in the range of from about 200 m / min to about 1500 m / min, and for example in the range of from about 300 m / min to about 1200 m / min.

[0106] like Fig. 9As shown in, the solvent can evaporate from the wet film, such as before the wet film is cured. In one aspect, before the liquid coating composition is cured, about 100%, such as about 99.9%, and as another example about 99.8% of the solvent can be evaporated from the liquid coating composition. In another aspect, a trace amount of solvent can be present in the solidified / dried liquid coating composition. In one aspect, a wet film with a larger original weight percentage of solvent can produce a dry film with a reduced film thickness H. In particular, a wet film with a high weight percentage of solvent and deposited with a high wet film thickness D can produce a liquid coating composition with a low dry film thickness H, such as SLML 14. It is important to note that after the solvent is evaporated, the wet film remains liquid, thereby avoiding problems such as skinning and island formation during the subsequent curing step in the liquid coating process.

[0107] The dynamic viscosity of the wet film can be in the range of from about 0.5 cP to about 50 cP, such as from about 1 cP to about 45 cP, and as a further example from about 2 cP to about 40 cP. The viscosity measurement temperature is 25°C, and rheology is measured with an Anton Paar MCR 101 rheometer equipped with a solvent trap using a 40 mm diameter cone / plate with a 0.3° angle set at a gap of 0.025 mm.

[0108] In one aspect, the liquid coating composition and solvent can be selected such that for precision coating of the liquid coating composition using a liquid coating process, the wet film exhibits Newtonian behavior. The wet film can exhibit up to 10,000 s -1 In one aspect, the shear rate for the liquid coating process can be 1000 s for coating speeds up to 25 m / min. -1 For example, for a coating speed of up to 100 m / min, the shear rate may be 3900 s -1 , and as a further example, for coating speeds up to 200 m / min, the shear rate may be 7900 s -1 It will be appreciated that the maximum shear rate may occur on very thin wet films, for example 1 μm thick wet films.

[0109] As the wet film thickness increases, the shear rate may be expected to decrease, for example by 15% for a 10 μm wet film, and as a further example, by 30% for a 20 μm wet film.

[0110] The evaporation of solvent from the wet film may cause the viscosity behavior to change to pseudoplastic, which may be beneficial to achieve precision SLML 14. After any solvent has been evaporated, the dynamic viscosity of the deposited first SLML 14 and the second SLML 14' may be in the range of from about 10 cP to about 3000 cP, for example, from about 20 cP to about 2500 cP, and as a further example from about 30 cP to about 2000 cP. When the solvent (if present) is evaporated from the wet film, there may be a viscosity increase of pseudoplastic behavior. Pseudoplastic behavior may allow self-leveling of the wet film.

[0111] In one aspect, the method can include evaporating the solvent present in the wet film using known techniques. The amount of time required to evaporate the solvent can depend on the speed of the web / substrate and the dryer capacity. In one aspect, the temperature of the dryer (not shown) can be less than about 120° C., such as less than about 100° C., and as a further example, less than about 80° C.

[0112] The wet film deposited using the liquid coating process can be cured using known techniques. In one aspect, a curing agent can be used to cure the wet film using at least one of ultraviolet light, visible light, infrared, or electron beam. Curing can be performed in an inert atmosphere or an ambient atmosphere. In one aspect, the curing step utilizes an ultraviolet light source having a wavelength of about 395 nm. The ultraviolet light source can be at a wavelength of from about 200 mJ / cm 2 About 1000mJ / cm 2 In the range of, for example, from about 250 mJ / cm 2 About 900mJ / cm 2 and as a further example from about 300 mJ / cm 2 About 850mJ / cm 2 A dose within a range of is applied to the wet film.

[0113] The wet film can be crosslinked by known techniques. Non-limiting examples include photoinduced polymerization, such as free radical polymerization, spectral sensitized photoinduced free radical polymerization, photoinduced cationic polymerization, spectral sensitized photoinduced cationic polymerization, and photoinduced cycloaddition; electron beam induced polymerization, such as electron beam induced free radical polymerization, electron beam induced cationic polymerization, and electron beam induced cycloaddition; and thermally induced polymerization, such as thermally induced cationic polymerization.

[0114] SLMLs 14, 14' formed using a liquid coating process may exhibit improved optical properties, ie, are precision SLMLs. In certain examples, precision SLMLs 14, 14' may be understood to mean SLMLs having less than about 3% optical thickness variation, about 5% optical thickness variation, or about 7% optical thickness variation across the layer.

[0115] In one aspect, the liquid coating process may include adjusting at least one of: a speed from about 5 m / min to about 100 m / min and a coating gap from about 50 μm to about 100 μm to deposit a wet film from about 2 μm to 10 μm of a selective light modulator layer having a predetermined thickness from about 500 nm to about 1500 nm. In other aspects, the process may include a speed of 30 m / min, a gap of 75 μm, a wet film of 10 μm, a dry film thickness of 1.25 μm.

[0116] The article 10 described above and illustrated, for example, in the figures can be further described by the following examples. In one example, the article 10 can include a selective light modulator layer 14 that can include a cycloaliphatic epoxy host using a solvent dye as a SLMM, and the reflector layer 16 can include aluminum.

[0117] In one example, the article 10 can include a first SLML 14 including an aliphatic epoxy host using a diketopyrrolopyrrole insoluble red dye as the SLMP, and the reflector layer 16 can include aluminum.

[0118] In one example, the article 10 can include a first SLML 14 including an acrylate oligomer resin host using a white pigment (titanium dioxide) as the SLMP.

[0119] In one example, article 10 can include SLML 14 including an acrylate oligomer resin body using a black IR transparent pigment as the SLMP, and reflector layer 16 can include aluminum.

[0120] In one example, the article 10 may include an orientation layer 12 including surface selective dye coloring for both the first SLML 14 side and the reflector layer 16 (metal and non-metal) side. In one aspect, the article 10 may also include a functional layer on the second surface of both the first selective light modulator layer 14 and the second selective light modulator layer 14' to prevent dye coloring of the outer surface (the second surface of the SLML 14, 14').

[0121] In one example, article 10 may include a location layer 12 that includes a selective decorative anodization of metal on the perimeter of pigment flakes.

[0122] In one example, the article 10 can include an orientation layer 12 that includes a selective dye coloration of the first light modulator layer 14 and / or the second light modulator layer 14'.

[0123] In one example, the article 10 may include an orientation layer 12 that includes two distinct colors, one color by selective decorative anodization of the metal and one color by selective dyeing of the first selective light modulator layer 14 and / or the reflector layer 16 .

[0124] In one aspect, a method of manufacturing an optical device is disclosed, comprising: depositing a reflector layer on a substrate, the reflector layer having a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, a third surface, and a fourth surface opposite the third surface; depositing a first selective light modulator layer on the first surface of the reflector layer; and providing an azimuthal modulator layer on at least one of the third surface and the fourth surface of the reflector layer. In some instances, the method further comprises depositing a second selective light modulator layer between the substrate and the reflector layer. In some instances, the azimuthal modulator layer inhibits corrosion of the reflector layer. In some instances, the first selective light modulator layer provides a first color attribute, and the azimuthal modulator layer provides a second color attribute different from the first color attribute. In some instances, the azimuthal modulator layer comprises a chemically transformed portion of the reflector layer. In some instances, the azimuthal modulator layer comprises a pigment and an organic dye.

[0125] From the foregoing description, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that this teaching can be implemented in various forms. Therefore, although these teachings have been described in conjunction with their specific embodiments and examples, the true scope of this teaching should not be so limited. Various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of teaching herein.

[0126] This scope disclosure will be interpreted broadly. It is intended that the present disclosure discloses equivalents, devices, systems and methods for obtaining the devices, activities and mechanical actions disclosed herein. For each device, article, method, device, mechanical element or mechanism disclosed, it is intended that the present disclosure is also included in its disclosure, and teaches the equivalents, devices, systems and methods for practicing many aspects, mechanisms and devices disclosed herein. In addition, the present disclosure relates to coatings and many aspects, features and elements thereof. Such devices can be dynamic in their use and operation, and the present disclosure is intended to cover equivalents, devices, systems and methods of optical devices using the device and / or manufacturing, as well as many aspects consistent with the description and spirit of the operation and function disclosed herein. The claims of the present application will also be interpreted broadly. In this article, the description of the present invention is essentially only exemplary in many embodiments thereof, and therefore, changes that do not deviate from the main idea of ​​the present invention are intended to be within the scope of the present invention. Such changes should not be regarded as departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An optical device, comprising: a reflector layer comprising metal and having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface; a third surface and a fourth surface opposite to the third surface; a first selective light modulator layer, the first selective light modulator layer being exterior to the first surface of the reflector layer; a second selective light modulator layer, the second selective light modulator layer being exterior to the second surface of the reflector layer; as well as an azimuthal modulator layer present on at least one of the third surface and the fourth surface of the reflector layer; wherein the azimuth modulator layer comprises a chemically converted portion of the reflector layer, wherein a metal of the chemically converted portion is converted to a non-ferrous metal compound, and wherein the metal is selected from stainless steel, gold, zinc, iron, bronze, manganese, zirconium, vanadium, indium, or bismuth; Wherein the first selective optical modulator layer provides a first color attribute and the azimuthal optical modulator layer provides a second color attribute different from the first color attribute.

2. The optical device of claim 1, wherein the first color attribute is presented at a first viewing angle.

3. The optical device of claim 2, wherein the second color attribute appears at a second viewing angle. The optical device of claim 3 , wherein the second viewing angle is different from the first viewing angle.

5. The optical device of claim 1, wherein the azimuthal modulator layer protects at least one of the third surface and the fourth surface.

6. The optical device of claim 1, wherein the reflector layer comprises a colored material.

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