Composite component for optical light guide element

Abstract

The invention relates to an optical composite component, in particular an optical composite component that can be used as an optical light guide element or can be used in an optical light guide element. Furthermore, the invention comprises the use of the optical composite part as or in an optical light guide element, in particular in the field of augmented reality.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an optical composite component, particularly an optical composite component suitable for use as an optical light guide element or applicable to an optical light guide element. Furthermore, this invention includes the use of the optical composite component as an optical light guide element or in an optical light guide element, particularly in the field of augmented reality. Background Technology

[0002] Optical guide elements play a central role in imaging optics systems used in augmented reality (“extended reality”) applications. For example, such imaging optics systems in the extended reality field can be wearable head-mounted systems that additionally present images to the user within their field of vision. Because of the additional images, supplementary information can be displayed to the user in various ways, such as showing surgeons invisible elements, for example, those previously captured by tomography, in medicine. Other applications involve, for example, navigation in aircraft or vehicles. In these cases, diffractive or reflective optical elements can be used.

[0003] For example, reflective waveguides and their use as augmented reality waveguides are described in US 2023 / 0314689 A1 and WO 2021 / 001841 A1. In such reflective augmented reality (AR) waveguides, light emitted from a projector is coupled into the waveguide, internally redirected by one or more beamsplitters, modulated, and reflected from the waveguide to the user's eyes. To manufacture the corresponding waveguide, a planar substrate is first coated, and in particular, an adhesive is used to bond them together into a block. Sheet elements are cut and polished from this block at a specified angle, so that the coating is located within the volume of the sheet elements.

[0004] These coatings must meet not only optical requirements but also mechanical requirements. Therefore, sheet-like elements must be cut and polished, while preventing detachment between the substrates, especially between the top layer of coating and adjacent glass. If adhesives are used to bond the coated substrates together, grabens may form between the substrates and the coating. These grabens can be weak points, from which partial or complete delamination of the composite can occur. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to overcome the above-mentioned defects and to provide composite components, especially as optical guiding elements or composite components used for optical guiding elements, which not only have good optical performance but also have improved mechanical stability.

[0006] This objective is achieved by an optical composite component, particularly as an optical waveguide element or used in an optical waveguide element, wherein the optical composite component has a first surface and a second surface. The optical composite component includes at least one stack having a first surface and a second surface. The stack includes two or more substrates connected to each other by an adhesive layer. Wherein, at least one surface of at least one substrate has at least one inorganic coating. In this configuration, two or more substrates are arranged such that the substrates and at least one inorganic coating are alternately arranged along the stacking direction. Wherein, the angle between the normal vector of the first surface and / or the second surface of at least one layer and the stacking direction is not equal to 0°. Wherein, the first surface of the composite component includes at least one stacked first surface, and / or the second surface of the composite component includes at least one stacked second surface. Furthermore, at least one inorganic coating has at least two layers, wherein the top layer comprises SiO2.

[0007] It has been found that the top layer of the coating, which includes SiO2 or a composite component made of SiO2, has high mechanical stability and, in particular, exhibits better bonding between the individual substrates through the adhesive.

[0008] According to the present invention, at least one main surface of at least one substrate has at least one inorganic coating.

[0009] In some embodiments, at least one substrate has a main surface comprising at least one inorganic coating.

[0010] In some advantageous embodiments, both main surfaces have at least one inorganic coating.

[0011] Unless otherwise stated, in the context of this invention, the first and / or second surfaces of a particular component are the first and / or second main surfaces of the corresponding component.

[0012] At least one inorganic coating has at least two layers, wherein the top layer comprises or is composed of SiO2.

[0013] Inorganic coatings include not only a top layer but also at least one additional layer, wherein the additional layer may include one or more components selected from the following: one or more oxides, one or more fluorides, one or more nitrides, one or more nitrogen oxides, one or more sulfides, one or more selenides, one or more metals, and combinations thereof. For example, an inorganic coating may include or be composed of one or more components of the following: one or more metal oxides, one or more metal fluorides, one or more metal nitrides, and combinations thereof.

[0014] The oxides according to the present invention are preferably selected from silicon oxide, aluminum oxide, hafnium oxide, tantalum oxide, niobium oxide, titanium oxide, zirconium oxide, yttrium oxide, praseodymium oxide, scandium oxide, tin oxide, indium oxide, and combinations of two or more thereof. In some embodiments, the combination of two or more oxides includes mixed oxides.

[0015] In the context of this invention, the fluoride is preferably selected from aluminum fluoride, magnesium fluoride, neodymium fluoride, lanthanum fluoride, yttrium fluoride, gadolinium fluoride, ytterbium fluoride, and combinations of two or more thereof.

[0016] In the context of this invention, the nitride is preferably selected from aluminum nitride, silicon nitride, and combinations thereof.

[0017] In the context of this invention, the nitrogen oxides are preferably selected from aluminum nitrides, silicon nitrides, and combinations thereof.

[0018] In the context of this invention, the metal is preferably selected from aluminum, silver, gold, and combinations thereof. Optionally, a combination of two or more metals is an alloy. Preferably, the metal layer has a diameter of no more than 10 nm to ensure sufficient transparency.

[0019] In an advantageous embodiment, the inorganic coating comprises at least one dielectric layer, and preferably all layers of the inorganic coating are dielectric layers.

[0020] In another advantageous embodiment, the inorganic coating includes at least one metal layer, which is composed of or includes at least one metal, such as silver, wherein the thickness of the at least one metal layer is not greater than 10 nm.

[0021] Preferably, at least one inorganic coating layer located directly below the top layer does not include SiO2.

[0022] Preferably, in addition to the top layer, the inorganic coating further includes one or more additional layers, wherein the additional layers are preferably selected from TiO2, Ta2O5, HfO2, Nb2O5, ZrO2, Al2O3, SiO2, MgF2 and SiAl-oxide, wherein the atomic ratio of silicon to aluminum (Si:Al) in the SiAl-oxide is in the range of 1:0.20 to 1:0.05, preferably 1:0.08 to 0.18, and especially 1:0.115.

[0023] Preferably, at least one inorganic coating has 2 to 100 layers, more preferably 4 to 50 layers, more preferably 5 to 40 layers or 7 to 35 layers.

[0024] Preferably, the thickness of each layer (jeweiligen Schichten) is 1 nm to 200 nm, preferably 4 to 100 nm, more preferably 8 nm to 800 nm or 10 nm to 700 nm, more preferably 15 nm to 600 nm or 15 nm to 500 nm.

[0025] Preferably, the thickness of at least one inorganic coating is 200 nm to 3000 nm, more preferably 300 nm to 2500 nm, more preferably 400 nm to 2000 nm or 500 nm to 1700 nm, and particularly preferably 600 nm to 1600 nm.

[0026] Preferably, the refractive index of the inorganic coating is 1.44 to 3.00, 1.45 to 2.50, 1.47 to 2.20, or 1.51 to 1.90, or 1.60 to 1.90. If the coating contains more than one material, the specified refractive index is the average refractive index of the entire layer of the inorganic coating.

[0027] According to the present invention, the top layer of the coating comprises SiO2. In some embodiments, the top layer is essentially composed of SiO2. This layer typically exhibits good adhesion to adjacent substrates or bonding adhesive layers.

[0028] It should be understood that the top layer of the coating is the layer that is in direct contact with the adhesive layer.

[0029] When this specification indicates that a layer contains no certain component, substantially no certain component, or contains no specific component, it means that the component is likely to exist at most as an impurity in the layer. This means that the component will not be added in a significant amount. According to the invention, a non-significant amount is less than 100 ppm, preferably less than 50 ppm, and most preferably less than 10 ppm (m / m).

[0030] In some embodiments, it may be advantageous if the top layer includes other materials besides SiO2, for example, to adapt the refractive index of the top layer to the refractive index of the adjacent substrate. Therefore, in some embodiments, the top layer comprises SiO2 and at least one additional material, wherein the refractive index of the at least one additional material is preferably higher than that of SiO2. Preferably, the at least one additional material is selected from the group consisting of Al2O3, ZrO2, Nb2O5, TiO2, HfO2, and Ta2O5, and combinations of two or more thereof. However, considering the adhesion properties of the top layer, it is advantageous to limit the content of the at least one additional material in the top layer. Preferably, the top layer comprises at least 50 parts by weight, preferably at least 30 parts by weight, preferably at least 20 parts by weight, particularly preferably at least 10 parts by weight of the at least one additional material. Preferably, the top layer comprises at least 50 parts by weight, preferably at least 70 parts by weight, more preferably at least 80 parts by weight, or at least 90 parts by weight of SiO2.

[0031] Preferably, the refractive index of at least one inorganic coating corresponds to the refractive index of at least one substrate, wherein preferably, the ratio of the refractive index of at least one substrate to the refractive index of at least one inorganic coating is in the range of 0.8 to 1.25, preferably 0.85 to 1.2, preferably 0.9 to 1.1, preferably 0.95 to 1.05, more preferably 0.98 to 1.03.

[0032] Preferably, the refractive index of the coating refers to the average refractive index of the coating. For example, the value of the refractive index mentioned above regarding the coating can correspond to a value obtained by integrating the refractive index determined along the coating thickness. In the case of a coating with discrete layers (each individual layer of the discrete layers has a uniform refractive index), the integral can be transformed into a sum.

[0033] For example, the average refractive index of the coating for the total coating thickness d (especially the total thickness measured along the first direction) can be determined using the following equation. and the local refractive index of the coating / its layer : .

[0034] For example, if the refractive index n of the substrate s Meet the conditions =n s If the refractive index of the coating is equal to that of the substrate, then the refractive index of the coating can be considered to be equal to that of the substrate.

[0035] The refractive index of the coating is preferably a weighted average of the local refractive indices over the coating thickness.

[0036] Preferably, the refractive index of the coating is the same as that of the substrate. If the ratio of the refractive index of the coating to that of the substrate is 0.9 to 1.1, preferably 0.95 to 1.05, then the refractive index values ​​are preferably the same.

[0037] Preferably, the refractive index of the coating (and, if applicable, the refractive index of the substrate) is relative to 587 nm (n d (wavelength)

[0038] Preferably, the thickness of the top layer of at least one inorganic coating is 1 nm to 500 nm, preferably 10 nm to 400 nm, and particularly preferably at least 15 nm to 200 nm.

[0039] In some embodiments, it may be advantageous if the top layer is thin enough that it has no optical effect. In these embodiments, the thickness of the top layer is preferably limited to no more than 15 nm, preferably no more than 10 nm, or no more than 5 nm. Preferably, the thickness of the top layer is at least 1 nm.

[0040] In some embodiments, the top layer is an optically active layer, and preferably has a thickness greater than 15 nm, more preferably greater than 20 nm, more preferably greater than 30 nm, or greater than 40 nm, and / or not greater than 500 nm, preferably not greater than 400 nm, more preferably not greater than 300 nm, or not greater than 200 nm.

[0041] Preferably, the refractive index of the top layer deviates from that of at least one substrate by no more than 0.50, more preferably no more than 0.40, and more preferably no more than 0.30.

[0042] In at least one stack, two or more substrates are arranged such that the two or more substrates and at least one inorganic coating are alternately arranged along the stacking direction. The two or more substrates are preferably connected to each other through their surfaces, wherein the coating, together with the adhesive layer, forms the interface between the two connected substrates.

[0043] According to the present invention, without considering the adhesive layer, at least one stack alternately comprises a substrate and an inorganic coating.

[0044] The stack according to the invention preferably comprises 2 to 50, more preferably 4 to 45, more preferably 6 to 35 or 6 to 30, and particularly preferably 8 to 25 or 8 to 20 substrates.

[0045] Preferably, the stack according to the invention, without considering the adhesive layer, alternately comprises a substrate (S) and an inorganic coating (B), wherein the combination (SB) is repeated x times. In other words, the stack comprises an arrangement (SB) x. In some embodiments, the stack comprises an arrangement (SB) xS. In some embodiments, the stack comprises an arrangement B-(SB)x.

[0046] Preferably, the elastic modulus of at least one inorganic coating is 60 GPa to 200 GPa, more preferably 80 GPa to 180 GPa, more preferably 90 GPa to 160 GPa, and particularly preferably 100 GPa to 150 GPa. In inorganic coatings comprising two or more coating materials, the elastic modulus corresponds to the average elastic modulus of the entire layer of the inorganic coating.

[0047] Each substrate according to the invention has a first surface and a second surface, preferably, the first surface and the second surface are parallel to each other. The first surface and the second surface of the substrate are the so-called "main surfaces" of the substrate. The distance from the first surface to the second surface of the substrate is also referred to hereinafter as the thickness of the substrate.

[0048] Preferably, the substrate comprises glass, glass-ceramic, opto-ceramic, or plastic, preferably glass and / or plastic, and particularly preferably glass; or is made of the same. Preferably, the substrate is made of glass or plastic, and particularly preferably glass.

[0049] Preferably, the thickness of the substrate is 0.2 mm to 2.0 mm, preferably 0.3 mm to 1.8 mm, preferably 0.4 mm to 1.7 mm, and particularly preferably 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm.

[0050] The thickness of the substrates in at least one stack can be different or the same; preferably, the thickness of the substrates in at least one stack is the same.

[0051] Preferably, the substrate refers to the substrate with a refractive index n d Glass in the range of 1.45 to 2.30, preferably in the range of 1.47 to 2.10, preferably in the range of 1.50 to 2.00, and also preferably in the range of 1.47 to 1.8.

[0052] Preferably, the two or more substrates comprise or are preferably composed of the following material, said material being transparent for wavelengths in the range of at least 450 nm to 650 nm, and preferably transparent for all wavelengths in the range of 450 nm to 650 nm.

[0053] In some embodiments, at least one stack comprises substrates of different materials, but preferably, all substrates in at least one stack comprise the same material, preferably made of the same material.

[0054] In embodiments where two or more substrates comprise or are made of glass, the glass is preferably silicate glass, such as barium-containing silicate glass. For example, the substrates may include, or be made of, flint glass or crown glass. Optionally, the glass is selected from alkaline earth metal flint glass, barium flint glass, barium crown glass, boron-containing crown glass, lanthanum flint glass, lanthanum crown glass, and combinations thereof.

[0055] Preferably, the elastic modulus of the substrate is 50 GPa to 150 GPa, more preferably 55 GPa to 100 GPa, more preferably 65 GPa to 95 GPa, and particularly preferably 75 GPa to 90 GPa.

[0056] According to the invention, at least one stack includes at least one adhesive layer. The adhesive layer is used to bond two or more substrates to each other through their surfaces, preferably across the entire surface, wherein the substrates are bonded to each other through their main surfaces.

[0057] Preferably, the adhesive layer comprises a light-curing adhesive, and more preferably a UV-curing adhesive.

[0058] In some embodiments, the thickness of the adhesive layer is 10 nm to 20 μm, preferably 20 nm to 15 μm, preferably 50 nm to 10 μm, preferably 100 nm to 7 μm, and particularly preferably 200 nm to 5 μm.

[0059] Preferably, the adhesive layer has a thickness of 10 nm to 20 nm, more preferably 20 nm to 15 nm, more preferably 50 nm to 10 nm, more preferably 100 nm to 7 nm, and particularly preferably 200 nm to 5 μm. The adhesive layer also has a thickness of 0.5 μm to 4.5 μm, preferably 1.0 μm to 4.0 μm, more preferably 1.5 μm to 3.5 μm, and particularly preferably 2.0 μm to 3.0 μm. Preferably, the adhesive layer has a uniform thickness over the entire area of ​​the substrate surface it covers.

[0060] Preferably, the adhesive layer satisfies at least one of the following conditions: i) Total thickness variation (TTV) is less than 20 μm; ii) It does not contain inclusions with a particle size larger than the thickness of the adhesive layer; iii) The refractive index n of the substrate dThe deviation (abweicht) is not greater than 0.005, preferably not greater than 0.004, preferably not greater than 0.003, or not greater than 0.002, and particularly preferably not greater than 0.001.

[0061] According to the present invention, the total thickness variation of the adhesive layer (hereinafter also referred to as "total thickness variation" or "TTV") is less than 20 μm, preferably less than 15 μm, more preferably less than 12 μm, more preferably less than 10 μm, also preferably less than 7 μm, preferably less than 5 μm, preferably less than 4 μm, or less than 3 μm, preferably less than 2.5 μm, or less than 2 μm, preferably less than 1.5 μm, or less than 1 μm, particularly preferably less than 0.75 μm, more preferably less than 0.5 μm, and even more particularly preferably less than 0.3 μm or 0.2 μm. The above explanation of the meaning and measurement of TTV also applies here.

[0062] Preferably, the adhesive layer does not include inclusions with a particle size larger than the thickness of the adhesive layer. In the context of this invention, inclusions are, for example, impurities and bubbles, such as air bubbles.

[0063] In an advantageous embodiment, at least one adhesive layer is formed of an acrylate adhesive, an epoxy resin adhesive, a silicone adhesive, a polyurethane adhesive, an acrylate adhesive filled with nanoparticles, an epoxy resin adhesive filled with nanoparticles, a silicone adhesive filled with nanoparticles, or a polyurethane adhesive filled with nanoparticles, or a sol-gel adhesive system; preferably, it is formed of an acrylate adhesive, an epoxy resin adhesive, a silicone adhesive, or a polyurethane adhesive, particularly preferably an acrylate adhesive.

[0064] The adhesive can be a light-curing adhesive, a thermosetting adhesive, or an anaerobic-curing adhesive. Preferably, the adhesive is a light-curing adhesive, and more preferably a UV-curing adhesive. Preferably, the adhesive is a light-curing, and more preferably a UV-curing, acrylate adhesive.

[0065] Preferably, the refractive index n of the adhesive layer d The refractive index n of two or more substrates d The deviation is not greater than 0.005, preferably not greater than 0.004, preferably not greater than 0.003, or not greater than 0.002, and particularly preferably not greater than 0.001.

[0066] Preferably, the UV-curable adhesive is an optically transparent adhesive with a refractive index n. d Preferably, it substantially corresponds to the refractive index n of the substrate. d Furthermore, it preferably has a small shrinkage rate during curing. This allows stress to be avoided or at least minimized when bonding more than two substrates.

[0067] Preferably, the elastic modulus of the adhesive layer is 5000 MPa to 15000 MPa, more preferably 6000 MPa to 12000 MPa, more preferably 7000 MPa to 10000 MPa, and particularly preferably 7500 MPa to 9000 MPa.

[0068] In one embodiment, the optical composite component is composed of at least one stack.

[0069] At least one stack is preferably manufactured using a method comprising the following steps: a) Provide two or more sheet-like substrates having a first main surface and a second main surface parallel to each other, wherein at least one of the sheet-like substrates has an inorganic coating on at least the first main surface or the second main surface. b) Two or more sheet substrates are bonded together using an adhesive layer to obtain a composite. c) Preferably, there is one or more segmentation steps and / or one or more connection steps.

[0070] In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the fabrication of the stack includes the method described in DE 10 2023 108 065.2.

[0071] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the optical composite component includes at least one additional stack and / or at least one additional optical component selected from optical filters, particularly interference filters, mirrors, optical guides, and polarizing optical components.

[0072] In the context of this invention, an optical component refers to a component comprising one or more optically correlated regions, wherein an optically correlated region refers to a region of the component located in the optical path of optically correlated light. In the context of this invention, optically correlated light is light that contributes to the formed image. According to the invention, the optically correlated region of an optical component is a region located in the optical path of light. In the context of this invention, an optically correlated region on the surface of a particular component is understood as any surface located in the optical path of optically correlated light, including both a surface on the light incident side and a surface on the light emitting side, said surface reflecting or deflecting the incident light beam.

[0073] In some embodiments, the composite component also includes other optically unrelated components, preferably comprising, or being composed of, the material constituting at least one substrate or the material included in at least one substrate.

[0074] In some embodiments, the composite component includes a polarizing optical element having a first surface and a second surface, wherein the first surface of the composite component includes the first surface of the polarizing optical element, and / or the second surface of the composite component includes the second surface of the polarizing optical element.

[0075] In the context of this invention, a polarizing optical element is an element that generates an optical path difference between two mutually perpendicular linearly polarized wavelets, the polarization direction of which coincides with a specific direction of the element. In particular, such a polarizing optical element facilitates the selection of a specific polarization of light and / or the generation or rotation of a specific polarization direction of light. Such a polarizing optical element can be, for example, a reflective, transmissive, dichroic, or birefringent element.

[0076] Preferably, the polarizing optical element comprises a birefringent material, more preferably a birefringent crystal or a birefringent polymer. More preferably, the birefringent material is a birefringent crystal, especially quartz, MgF2 or CaF2, or a birefringent polymer. Particularly preferably, the birefringent material is quartz.

[0077] Preferably, the length of the polarizing optical element is 10 mm to 300 mm, preferably 20 mm to 150 mm, more preferably 30 mm to 100 mm, for example 50 mm to 80 mm, and / or the width is 1 μm to 100 μm, preferably 5 μm to 50 μm, and particularly preferably 20 μm to 40 μm.

[0078] Preferably, the following parameters are applicable to optical composite components: i) Roughness R of the first and / or second surfaces of the composite component q <5 nm; and / or ii) The TTV of the composite component based on the first and second surfaces is less than 10 μm; and / or iii) The warp of the composite component based on the first and second surfaces is <100 μm; and / or iv) The bending of the composite component based on the first and second surfaces is <100 μm.

[0079] Preferably, the total thickness variation (hereinafter also referred to as "total thickness variation") or "TTV" of the optical composite component is less than 10 μm, preferably less than 8 μm, preferably less than 5 μm, more preferably less than 4 μm, more preferably less than 3 μm, particularly preferably less than 2 μm or less than 1 μm, further particularly preferably less than 0.75 μm, and also particularly preferably less than 0.5 μm.

[0080] In some embodiments, the TTV of the optical composite component is at least 0.1 μm or at least 0.2 μm. Such optical composite components are particularly advantageous for use in augmented reality applications with fabricated stacks or light guide elements made therefrom. As described in German patent application DE 10 2021 125 476.0 (which has not been published as of the filing date of this application), optical composite components with low TTV can be manufactured, for example, by suitable grinding methods (such as coarse grinding, fine grinding, and / or polishing) and / or by ion beam processes.

[0081] Preferably, the roughness R of the first and / or second surfaces, and more preferably the first and second surfaces, of the optical composite component q The wavelength is 0.1 nm to 5 nm, preferably not greater than 5 nm, preferably less than 5 nm, preferably less than 4 nm, or less than 3 nm, more preferably less than 2 nm, or less than 1.5 nm, or particularly preferably less than 1 nm, or less than 0.5 nm.

[0082] Preferably, the warpage of the optical composite component is greater than 1 μm, greater than 5 μm, or greater than 10 μm, and / or less than 100 μm, preferably less than 50 μm, more preferably less than 20 μm, and / or the curvature is greater than 1 μm, greater than 5 μm, or greater than 10 μm, and / or less than 100 μm, preferably less than 50 μm, more preferably less than 20 μm. Preferably, the curvature and / or warpage of the optical composite component is less than 0.1% of the diameter, preferably less than 0.075% of the diameter, preferably less than 0.05% of the diameter, and preferably less than 0.01% of the diameter. Preferably, the warpage and curvature are measured according to SEMI3D1203152015.

[0083] Warpage (“warp”) and bending (“bend”) are parameters used to describe the shape of an optical composite that is laid flat and therefore not held by a chuck, for example. The composite is thus held unloaded or laid flat on a flat base. Therefore, the central surface in the thickness direction of the composite is used as the measurement plane, where the plane that best matches the measurement plane is assumed to be the reference plane. Warpage represents the maximum offset from the reference plane to the measurement plane. Bend represents the difference between the reference plane and the measurement plane at the center of the substrate. If the composite is held by locally defined supports, such as a 3-point support structure or a fork-shaped holding structure in the edge region, additional warpage, known as sag, will occur under the influence of gravity. Therefore, the effect of this warpage (bend) is essentially dependent on the geometric arrangement of the supports. Furthermore, the mechanical properties of the material and the geometry of the composite are parameters that determine the sag.

[0084] In an advantageous embodiment, the first and second surfaces of the optical composite component are parallel to each other, and / or the first surface of at least one stack and the second surface of at least one stack are parallel to each other.

[0085] The distance from the first surface to the second surface of the optical composite component is also referred to below as the thickness of the composite component. Preferably, the thickness of the optical composite component and / or at least one stack is 0.2 mm to 2.0 mm, preferably 0.3 mm to 1.8 mm, preferably 0.4 mm to 1.7 mm, and particularly preferably 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm.

[0086] In embodiments where the first and second surfaces of the optical composite component are not parallel to each other, the thickness of the optical composite component varies, wherein the maximum and minimum thickness of the optical composite component are both in the range of 0.2 mm to 2.0 mm, preferably in the range of 0.3 mm to 1.8 mm, preferably in the range of 0.4 mm to 1.7 mm, and particularly preferably in the range of 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm.

[0087] The optical composite component is preferably sheet-like, wherein the first and second surfaces are opposite to each other, and preferably parallel to each other. Preferably, the maximum distance between the first and second surfaces, in other words, the thickness of the optical composite component, is less than the maximum width and / or maximum length or maximum diameter of the first or second surface of the optical composite component.

[0088] Preferably, the sheet-like optical composite component may be angular or rounded, or have both angular and rounded regions, based on the first and second surfaces.

[0089] Preferably, the length and / or width of the optical composite component is 10 mm to 300 mm, preferably 20 mm to 150 mm, more preferably 30 mm to 100 mm, for example 50 mm to 80 mm, and / or the diameter is 10 mm to 300 mm, preferably 15 mm to 200 mm, preferably 20 mm to 150 mm, more preferably 30 mm to 100 mm, for example 50 mm to 80 mm.

[0090] According to the present invention, the optical composite component includes at least one stack having a first surface and a second surface, wherein the stack includes two or more substrates connected to each other by an adhesive layer, wherein at least one main surface of at least one substrate includes at least one inorganic coating, and wherein the two or more substrates are arranged such that the substrates and at least one inorganic coating are alternately arranged along the stacking direction.

[0091] According to the present invention, the angle between the normal vector of the first surface and / or the second surface of at least one stack and the stacking direction is not equal to 0°.

[0092] The stacking direction should be understood as a stack along the normal vector of the interface between at least two substrates. Preferably, the interface is formed by an inorganic coating and / or an adhesive layer.

[0093] According to the present invention, the first surface of the optical composite component includes at least one stacked first surface, and / or the second surface of the optical composite component includes at least one stacked second surface. In other words, the first surface of the first stack forms at least a portion of the first surface of the optical composite component, and / or the second surface of at least one stack forms at least a portion of the second surface of the optical composite component. Therefore, the first surface and / or the second surface of the optical composite component include regions forming interfaces between two or more substrates, and the surface of the optical composite component preferably includes regions of inorganic coatings and / or adhesive layers.

[0094] In one embodiment, the optical composite component is composed of at least one stack, wherein a first surface of the optical composite component is composed of a first surface of at least one stack, and a second surface of the optical composite component is composed of a second surface of at least one stack.

[0095] In a preferred embodiment, the angle between the normal vector of the first and / or second surfaces of at least one stack and the stacking direction is 90°.

[0096] In another preferred embodiment, the angle between the normal vector of the first and / or second surfaces of at least one stack and the stacking direction is greater than 10°, preferably greater than 20°, preferably greater than 45°, even more preferably greater than 50°, particularly preferably greater than 55° or greater than 60°.

[0097] Preferably, the angle between the normal vector of the first and / or second surface of at least one stack and the stacking direction is greater than 10° to 90°, preferably greater than 20° to 90°, also preferably greater than 45° to 90°, further preferably greater than 50° to 90°, and particularly preferably greater than 55° to 90°, or greater than 60° to 90°.

[0098] Preferably, the first and / or second surfaces of at least one stack are flat.

[0099] Preferably, the first and / or second surfaces of the optical composite component are flat.

[0100] Preferably, the optically relevant regions of the first and / or second surfaces of the composite component are flat.

[0101] In the context of this invention, "flatness" or "flatness" means that the deviation between the observed surface and the plane formed by the observed surface is no greater than a defined value.

[0102] Preferably, “flatness” or “flatness” in relation to at least one stack means that the deviation of the first surface and / or the second surface of at least one stack from the plane is no greater than 1000 nm, preferably no greater than 500 nm, preferably no greater than 300 nm, preferably no greater than 150 nm or 120 nm, preferably no greater than 100 nm, and particularly preferably no greater than 80 nm or 70 nm, and even more particularly preferably no greater than 60 nm or 50 nm.

[0103] Preferably, the term "flatness" or "flatness" for the optical composite component means that the deviation of the first and / or second surfaces of the optical composite component from the plane is no greater than 1000 μm, preferably greater than 500 μm, more preferably greater than 250 μm, or greater than 100 μm. In some preferred embodiments, the deviation of the first and / or second surfaces of the optical composite component from the plane is no greater than 1 μm, preferably greater than 500 nm, preferably greater than 300 nm, preferably greater than 150 nm or greater than 120 nm, preferably greater than 100 nm, particularly preferably greater than 80 nm or greater than 70 nm, and even more particularly preferably greater than 60 nm or greater than 50 nm.

[0104] Preferably, "flatness" or "flatness" of the optically correlated region of the surface of the composite component means that the deviation of the optically correlated region of the first and / or second surfaces of the composite component from the plane is no greater than 10 μm, preferably no greater than 5 μm, more preferably no greater than 2 μm or no greater than 1 μm. In some embodiments, the deviation of the optically correlated region of the first and / or second surfaces of the optical composite component from the plane is no greater than 500 nm, preferably no greater than 300 nm, preferably no greater than 150 nm or no greater than 120 nm, preferably no greater than 100 nm, and particularly preferably no greater than 80 nm or no greater than 70 nm, further particularly preferably no greater than 60 nm or 50 nm.

[0105] The "flatness" of the observed surface is defined as the surface approximated by a regression curve of a mathematically perfect two-dimensional plane, in such a way that the deviation of the true shape of the observed surface from the regression plane is minimized in both spatial directions.

[0106] The height or degree of indentation of the plane deviation is determined by measuring the distance between a point (preferably the highest point of a protrusion or the lowest point of a depression) and the plane along the normal vector of the plane. For example, protrusions or depressions can be determined by AFM measurement.

[0107] Due to the manufacturing process, however independent of the specific manufacturing method, at least one first and / or second surface of a laminate and / or the first and / or second surface of the optical composite component according to the invention may deviate from an ideal plane, particularly with protrusions and depressions. This deviation is particularly likely to occur during the grinding process in the manufacture of the optical composite component, for example, during the rough grinding, fine grinding, or polishing of the corresponding surface, especially in certain regions of the surface, which have different properties regarding hardness, elastic modulus, elongation at break, and glass transition temperature T. g They may differ in terms of tensile strength.

[0108] In the optical composite component according to the invention, such deviations occur particularly in the surface region formed by at least one stacked first or second surface and thus comprising the interface of at least one inorganic coating and / or adhesive layer.

[0109] In some embodiments, the deviation of the first and / or second surfaces of at least one stack from the plane is preferably in the range of 5 nm to 1 μm, preferably in the range of 5 nm to 500 nm, more preferably in the range of 10 nm to 300 nm, or in the range of 10 nm to 150 nm, particularly preferably in the range of 20 nm to 100 nm, and also particularly preferably in the range of 20 nm to 60 nm.

[0110] The deviation of the plane is preferably that a portion of the surface region is raised by a height H (hereinafter also referred to as "protrusion" or "bulge") relative to the corresponding plane, or reduced by a depth T (hereinafter also referred to as "depression" or "sinking").

[0111] Height H represents the maximum height or deviation of the protrusion, and depth T represents the maximum depth or deviation of the depression. In other words, height H and depth T describe the maximum deviation from the plane of the corresponding surface.

[0112] Preferably, the first surface and / or the second surface of at least one stack satisfies at least one of the following conditions: i) The planar deviation is not greater than 300 nm, wherein the deviation may be a protrusion with height H or a depression with depth T; ii) The protrusion is no larger than 200 nm; iii) The depression is no greater than 300 nm.

[0113] Preferably, the first surface and / or the second surface of at least one stack satisfies at least one of the following conditions: i) The planar deviation is not greater than 50 nm, wherein the deviation may be a protrusion with height H or a depression with depth T; ii) The protrusion is no larger than 50 nm; iii) The depression is no greater than 100 nm.

[0114] In the context of this invention, the planar deviation preferably also has a length L and a width B, wherein the length is preferably at least 5 nm, preferably at least 20 nm, preferably at least 50 nm, preferably at least 100 nm or 500 nm, or preferably at least 5 μm, preferably at least 10 μm, preferably at least 500 μm, more preferably at least 1000 μm, and / or the width is at least 5 nm, preferably at least 10 nm, preferably at least 20 nm, preferably at least 50 nm or at least 150 nm, more preferably at least 500 nm, more preferably at least 1000 nm. Preferably, the length L is not greater than 100 mm, preferably not greater than 50 mm, and / or the width B is not greater than 3000 nm, preferably not greater than 2000 nm.

[0115] In the optical composite component according to the invention, such deviations occur alternatively or additionally, particularly at the interfaces between surface regions of different optical components and / or optically unrelated components, especially at the interfaces of surface regions comprising components composed of different materials and / or adhesive layers.

[0116] In the context of this invention, an interface is a region on the surface of a composite component between the edge of a first component and the edge of a directly adjacent second component. Such interfaces exist in composite components, for example, in regions on the surface of the composite component where: one stack directly abuts another stack; one stack directly abuts another optical component, especially a polarizing optical element; one stack directly abuts an optically unrelated component; another optical component, especially a polarizing optical element, directly abuts an optically unrelated component; or one optically unrelated component abuts another optically unrelated component; and such interfaces exist in regions where a substrate of one stack abuts another substrate of the stack.

[0117] In another aspect, the present invention includes the use of the optical composite component according to the invention as an optical light guide element or, in particular, for use in augmented reality. Attached Figure Description

[0118] The invention will now be described in detail with reference to, but not limited to, the accompanying drawings. The same reference numerals denote the same or similar elements herein.

[0119] in: Figure 1 A side view schematically illustrates an embodiment of an optical composite component, which is composed of at least one stack.

[0120] Figure 2a and 2b The stacking orientation is shown in different implementations of at least one stack.

[0121] Figure 3 and Figure 4 Different embodiments of at least one stack are shown, which alternately include a substrate and a coating. Detailed Implementation

[0122] In the following detailed description, the same reference numerals denote the same or functionally identical components and parts in different embodiments. Where substantial functional deviations exist, these deviations will be explained in more detail with reference to the relevant embodiments.

[0123] Figure 1A schematic side view of an embodiment of an optical composite component 1 is shown, which is composed of at least one stack 10. The optical composite component 1 or at least one stack 10 includes two substrates 2. A first substrate 21 includes a surface provided with an inorganic coating 3, wherein the inorganic coating 3 has a single or multiple coatings 30 and a top layer 31. In the illustrated embodiment, the second substrate 22 does not have an inorganic coating 3. The two substrates 21, 22 are connected to each other through an adhesive layer 4, across their entire surfaces. The adhesive layer is adjacent to the top layer 31 of the inorganic coating of the first substrate 21 and the surface of the second substrate 22. The stack 10 has a first surface 80 and a second surface 90, which are preferably parallel to each other, and in this embodiment, the first surface 80 and the second surface 90 correspond to the first surface 180 and the second surface 190 of the composite component 10. The first surfaces 80, 180 are located in a first plane 280, while the second surfaces 90, 190 are located in a second plane 290.

[0124] Figure 2a and Figure 2b The stacking orientation is shown in different embodiments of at least one stack 10. Figure 2a A stack 10 is shown, having a first surface 80 and a second surface 90, as well as a first side surface 71 and a second side surface 72. The stack 10 alternately has a substrate 2 and an interface 34, the interface 34 being formed of an inorganic coating 3 and an adhesive layer 4. The stacking of the substrates 2 proceeds from the first side surface 71 of the stack along the normal vector N of the interface 34 toward the second side surface 72. The stack 10 is a so-called "straight" stack, wherein the angle between the normal vector N and the first surface 80 and / or the second surface 90 is a right angle.

[0125] Figure 2b A so-called tilted stack 10 is shown, having a first surface 80 and a second surface 90, as well as a first side surface 71 and a second side surface 72. The stack 10 alternately has a substrate 2 and an interface 34, the interface 34 being formed by an inorganic coating 3 and an adhesive layer 4. The stacking of the substrates 2 proceeds from the first side surface 71 of the stack along the normal vector N of the interface 34 toward the second side surface 72. The stack 100 is a so-called "tilted" stack where the angle between the normal vector N and the first surface 80 and / or the second surface 90 is not equal to 90°.

[0126] Figure 3 The diagram illustrates a sequence of layers in one embodiment of at least one stack 10, the stack having a first surface 80 and a second surface 90, the at least one stack alternately comprising a substrate 2, an inorganic coating 3, and an adhesive layer 4. The stack 10 is manufactured by continuously bonding the substrate 2 with the adhesive layer 4 covering the entire surface, wherein each substrate 2 has a surface provided with the inorganic coating 3.

[0127] Figure 4 The diagram illustrates a sequence of layers in an alternative embodiment of at least one stack 10 having a first surface 80 and a second surface 90. The at least one stack alternately comprises a substrate 2 and an inorganic coating 3, and also includes an adhesive layer 4. The stack 10 is manufactured by continuously bonding the substrate 2 (each substrate 2 having two surfaces provided with the inorganic coating 3) and the substrate 2 (which has two uncoated surfaces) through the adhesive layer 4 covering the entire surface.

[0128] Although the invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, it is not limited thereto and can be modified in various ways.

[0129] List of reference numerals 1 Composite component 2 substrate 3 Inorganic coating 4. Adhesive 10 stacks 30 Coating 31 Top layer of coating 34 Interface The first surface of the 80-layer stack 90 The second surface of the stack The first surface of the 180 composite The second surface of the 190 composite 280 First plane 290 Second plane

Claims

1. An optical composite component (1), particularly usable as an optical light guide element or an optical composite component (1) usable as an optical light guide element, wherein the optical composite component (1) has a first surface (180) and a second surface (190). in, The optical composite component (1) includes at least one stack (10) having a first surface (80) and a second surface (90). The stack (10) includes two or more substrates (2), which are connected to each other by an adhesive layer (4). In this embodiment, at least one surface of at least one substrate (2) has at least one inorganic coating (3). In this arrangement, two or more substrates (2) are arranged such that the substrates (2) and the at least one inorganic coating (3) are alternately arranged along the stacking direction. Wherein, the angle between the normal vector of the first surface (80) and / or the second surface (90) of the at least one stack (2) and the stacking direction is not equal to 0°. Wherein, the first surface (180) of the composite component includes the first surface (80) of the at least one stack, and / or the second surface (190) of the composite component includes the second surface (90) of the at least one stack. Furthermore, the at least one inorganic coating (3) has at least two layers, wherein the top layer comprises SiO2.

2. The optical composite component (1) according to claim 1, wherein both surfaces of the at least one substrate (2) have at least one inorganic coating (3).

3. The optical composite component (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one inorganic coating (3) has 2 to 100 layers, preferably 4 to 50 layers, more preferably 5 to 40 layers or 7 to 35 layers.

4. The optical composite component (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The thickness of the at least one inorganic coating (3) is 200 nm to 3000 nm, preferably 300 nm to 2500 nm, more preferably 400 nm to 2000 nm or 500 nm to 1700 nm, and particularly preferably 600 nm to 1600 nm.

5. The optical composite component (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the refractive index of the at least one inorganic coating (3) corresponds to the refractive index of the at least one substrate (2), wherein preferably, the ratio of the refractive index of the at least one substrate (2) to the refractive index of the at least one inorganic coating (3) is in the range of 0.8 to 1.

25.

6. The optical composite component (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the thickness of the top layer (31) of the at least one inorganic coating (3) is 1 to 500 nm, preferably 10 to 400 nm, particularly preferably at least 15 to 200 nm.

7. The optical composite component (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein, The two or more substrates (2) include glass, glass ceramic, optical ceramic or plastic, preferably made of such materials.

8. The optical composite component (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the thickness of the two or more substrates (2) is 0.2 mm to 2.0 mm.

9. The optical composite component (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the at least one stack (10) comprises 2 to 50, preferably 4 to 45, more preferably 6 to 35 or 6 to 30, particularly preferably 8 to 25 or 8 to 20 substrates (2).

10. The optical composite component (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein, The adhesive layer (4) is formed of a light-curing adhesive, preferably a UV-curing adhesive.

11. The optical composite component (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein, The adhesive layer (4) has a thickness of 10 nm to 20 μm, preferably 20 nm to 15 μm, preferably 50 nm to 10 μm, preferably 100 nm to 7 μm, and particularly preferably 200 nm to 5 μm.

12. The optical composite component (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein, The refractive index n of the adhesive layer (4) d The refractive index n of the two or more substrates (2) d The deviation is not greater than 0.005, preferably not greater than 0.004, preferably not greater than 0.003, or not greater than 0.002, and particularly preferably not greater than 0.

001.

13. The optical composite component (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein, The composite component (10) includes at least one additional stack and / or at least one additional optical component, the at least one additional optical component being selected from optical filters, especially interference filters, mirrors, optical guide elements and polarizing optical elements.

14. The optical composite component (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein i) The roughness Rq of the first surface (180) and / or the second surface (190) of the composite component (1) is <5 nm; and / or ii) The TTV of the composite component (1) based on the first surface (180) and the second surface (190) is less than 10 μm; and / or iii) The warpage of the composite component (1) based on the first surface (180) and the second surface (190) is < 100 μm; and / or iv) The bending of the composite component (1) based on the first surface (180) and the second surface (190) is < 100 μm.

15. An optical composite component (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 14, used as an optical light guide element or in an optical light guide element.

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