Phosphorescent structure, phosphorescent structure arrangement, method of writing a phosphorescent structure, method of erasing a phosphorescent structure and method of producing a phosphorescent structure

Abstract

A phosphorescent structure (200) has a multitude of spatially separate cells, each having a functional material system (204), wherein each cell of the multitude of cells is selectively convertible from a first phosphorescent state to a second phosphorescent state in a contactless manner by reducing the oxygen content present in the cell, wherein the respective cell has lower phosphorescence in the first phosphorescent state than in the second phosphorescent state; and one or more oxygen diffusion barrier materials (212) that at least partly enclose the cells in order to reduce oxygen diffusion into the respective cell.

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Phosphorescent structure, phosphorescent structure arrangement, method for describing a phosphorescent structure, method for quenching a phosphorescent structure, and method for producing a phosphorescent structure

[0003] The invention relates to a phosphorescent structure, a phosphorescent structure arrangement, a method for describing a phosphorescent structure, a method for erasing a phosphorescent structure and a method for producing a phosphorescent structure.

[0004] Permanent UV inks are commonly used in the field of invisible marking and UV labeling. Similar to conventional ink, the marking is determined by the distribution of the ink on the substrate during printing. It cannot be erased or reused.

[0005] An alternative is offered by so-called "Programmable Luminescent Tags" (PLTs). With a conventional PLT, a PLT material system is applied to a substrate, but the actual marking only occurs subsequently through exposure and can be reversible.

[0006] Such a PLT is described in DE 10 2018 214 374 Al. A PLT is typically readable after activation, it is flexible in its form design, it is transparent in its non-activated state, and it can be written with information, whereby the information can also be deleted and it can be written with information again after deletion.

[0007] Due to their physically limited storage duration, PLTs with current technology are only suitable for limited applications. For example, only for short operating times or for large-area patterns where the effect is less noticeable.

[0008] US 2021 / 0238475 describes luminescence components with a first element 1 with first luminescence crystals 11 from the class of perovskite crystals, embedded in a first polymer and a second element with a second solid polymer composition, wherein the second polymer composition has second luminescence crystals embedded in a second polymer. The first polymer and the second polymer are different from each other.

[0009] KR 10 2018 085 712 A describes an electronic device with an electronically active material, a cover enclosing the electronically active material and an oxygen ion pump.

[0010] KR 10 2015 092 278 describes a method for labelling a product with a transparent luminescent label.

[0011] Several aspects of this disclosure allow for a longer storage of information in a respective described cell compared to DE 10 2018 214 374 Al.

[0012] A structure is provided comprising: a plurality of spatially separated cells, each comprising a functional material system, wherein each cell of the plurality of cells can be selectively and contactlessly converted from a first phosphorescent state to a second phosphorescent state by reducing the oxygen content contained in the cell, wherein the respective cell exhibits a lower phosphorescence in the first phosphorescent state than in the second phosphorescent state; and one or more oxygen fusion barrier materials which at least partially enclose the cells to reduce oxygen fusion into the respective cell.

[0013] Phosphorescence of a cell is the amount of photons emitted by the cell within a given time period due to the transition of a molecule from a triplet state to a singlet state.

[0014] Furthermore, a structure is provided comprising: a functional material system that can be transferred without contact from a first phosphorus-bearing state to a second phosphorus-bearing state, wherein the functional material system in the first phosphorus-bearing state has a lower phosphorescence than in the second phosphorus-bearing state; and an encapsulation of oxygen fdi f fusion barrier material completely enclosing the functional material system.

[0015] In a more detailed way, one or more “storage cells” made of the functional material are provided, which are essentially completely or entirely (i.e. in all spatial directions) surrounded by oxygen fusion barrier material of sufficient thickness to form a sufficient oxygen fusion barrier to prevent oxygen fusion from the respective storage cell, thus achieving a longer retention of the information stored in the storage cell, for example, storage for a period of several hours or more.

[0016] The oxygen fdi f fusion barrier material can surround the functional material in the form of a layer, which, for example, has a layer thickness in a range of 0.5 pm to 20 pm, for example, in a range of 3 pm to 10 pm, for example, in a range of 5 pm to 7 pm.

[0017] In this context, "phosphorescent" means excitable to phosphorescence. "Activate" in this context means to stimulate phosphorescence. Phosphorescence is the property of a substance to glow for an extended period after being illuminated with light. It arises when a substance is excited by incident light, causing electrons in the substance to transition from a lower energy level, such as the ground state, to a higher energy level.

[0018] Transitions between energy levels follow specific selection rules. There are transitions with high probabilities, which occur rapidly, and there are transitions with low probabilities, which occur slowly. In phosphorescence, the excitation of an electron via a high-probability transition is followed by an intercombination, resulting in the electron transitioning to a long-lived excited state. From this state, de-excitation to the ground state is only possible via low-probability transitions or transitions forbidden by quantum mechanics. The radiative de-excitation of the electron from this long-lived excited state is phosphorescence.

[0019] Oxygen inhibits phosphorescence in organic materials. In organic compounds, the ground state is usually a singlet state in which all electrons are paired. A phosphorescent transition in organic substances is, for example, the transition from an excited triplet state to the ground state. This transition is quantum mechanically "forbidden" and therefore associated with a low transition probability and long residence times of the electrons in the excited triplet state. Oxygen, which is usually present in a triplet state, interacts with the electrons in the excited triplet state and thus quickly depopulates it. Therefore, no long-lasting afterglow occurs. By sealing the functional material with oxygen, the influence of oxygen from the environment of the functional material can be eliminated.

[0020] The shape of each cell can be arbitrary in any spatial direction. In a top view, the shape of each cell can be, for example, round (e.g., circular), polygonal (e.g., triangular, square, with more than four corners), or any other arbitrary shape. For example, a PLT is provided that is writable in such a way that it is partially phosphorescent, and the phosphorescent parts carry information, such as a QR code, a logo, or the like, with the substantially complete (i.e.,(in all spatial directions of a respective cell with functional material that can be converted from a non-phosphorescent state to a phosphorescent state without contact) suppression of oxygen diffusion (for example, in a layered structure, also of lateral oxygen diffusion or cross-oxygen diffusion) results in significantly longer information storage in the respective cell. A PLT is, for example, a thin-film system into which information can be stored, read, erased, and, if necessary, rewritten as a phosphorescent pattern by means of (UV) exposure. The stored patterns are invisible to the human eye as long as they are not read. PLTs can be applied as a transparent layer to flexible substrates, such as film, and do not require integrated electronics. They can therefore be used, for example, for labeling. Further applications include, for example,They are conceivable as security features or for quality control.

[0021] A structure (e.g., phosphorescent) according to various aspects of this disclosure can comprise a thin-film system containing functional material, such as photoactive material (e.g., in the form of a photoactive layer), which is (substantially or completely) enclosed by oxygen barrier material (e.g., oxygen barrier layers). When a PLT is described by exposure to light, the desired phosphorescent pattern is encoded in the functional material (e.g., in the photoactive layer) as a spatial distribution of molecular oxygen. Due to the high mobility of the oxygen molecules in the photoactive layer, the oxygen distribution levels itself out over time (diffusion). This causes the encoding to automatically cease. Various aspects of this disclosure reduce the diffusion of molecular oxygen in the active layer (generally in the functional material) of the phosphorescent structure (e.g.,of a PLT). Due to the limited thickness of the active layer of a conventional PLT, this is already the case in the spatial direction perpendicular to the layer system. In the two spatial directions in the plane of the layer, however, oxygen diffusion takes place unhindered in a conventional PLT (lateral diffusion).

[0022] Several aspects of this disclosure reduce lateral diffusion in a (e.g., phosphorescent) structure (e.g., a PLT). Thus, the oxygen distribution, and therefore the information / encoding of the desired phosphorescent pattern, can be maintained for a significantly longer period (from approximately 5 hours in a conventional (e.g., phosphorescent) structure to several weeks, for example, at least 2 weeks in a (e.g., phosphorescent) structure according to several aspects of this disclosure).

[0023] Various aspects of this disclosure vividly illustrate structures and methods for improving storage stability in labels (e.g., PLTs) based on activatable phosphorescence by reducing intrinsic lateral diffusion (in a layered (e.g., phosphorescent) structure).

[0024] Several aspects of this disclosure increase the storage duration / stability of information / patterns in “Programmable Luminescent Tags” (PLTs) (especially compared to the structure described in DE 10 2018 214 374 Al).

[0025] The technology is based on oxygen-suppressed phosphorescence. The storage duration of a pattern is physically limited by the diffusion of oxygen molecules within a cell of a phosphorescent structure. Thus, in a conventional cell, the information stored within the cell is often no longer readable after less than a day. Several aspects of this discovery enable the extension of the storage duration by reducing oxygen diffusion. Several aspects of this discovery provide a (e.g., phosphorescent) structure that enables contactless, transparent, and potentially reversible / rewritable / adaptive labeling without integrated electronics. Furthermore, a (e.g., phosphorescent) structure is provided in which targeted UV marking is independent of the application of the UV-sensitive material or can be changed subsequently.

[0026] The functional material (e.g., a photoactive layer) is clearly subdivided into separate cells, which are isolated from oxygen diffusion across cell boundaries by an oxygen barrier material. Thus, oxygen molecules can only move within the cell. The oxygen distribution in adjacent cells can therefore no longer be influenced (or only to a much lesser extent).

[0027] The production of cells separated from one another by the oxygen barrier material can be achieved using various techniques. For example, the original material (e.g., the original layer) can be cut into smaller cells using a laser, so that the cut edges can then be filled with the oxygen barrier material. Other techniques are conceivable, such as printing individual cells, spray coating individual cells, forming individual cells using lithography, die-cutting individual cells, embossing individual cells, and the like.

[0028] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown in the figures and are explained in more detail below.

[0029] They show

[0030] Figure 1 shows a phosphorescent structure according to various aspects of this revelation; Figure 2 shows a phosphorescent structure according to various aspects of this revelation;

[0031] Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of a phosphorescent structure according to various aspects of this disclosure, as well as a top view of an exposure mask for programming different cells of the phosphorescent structure;

[0032] Figures 4A to 4D show different process states within the framework of a first example of a method for producing the phosphorescent structure according to various aspects of this disclosure; and

[0033] Figures 5A to 50 show different process states within the framework of a second example of a method for producing the phosphorescent structure according to various aspects of this disclosure.

[0034] In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form part thereof and in which specific embodiments of the invention are shown for illustration. In this respect, directional terminology such as "top", "bottom", "front", "back", "anterior", "rear", etc., is used with reference to the orientation of the described figure(s). Since components of embodiments can be positioned in a number of different orientations, the directional terminology serves for illustration and is in no way restrictive. It is understood that other embodiments may be used and structural or logical modifications may be made without deviating from the scope of protection of the present invention.It is understood that the features of the various exemplary embodiments described herein can be combined with one another, unless specifically stated otherwise. The following detailed description is therefore not to be understood in a restrictive sense, and the scope of protection of the present invention is defined by the appended claims. Within the scope of this description, the terms "connected," "attached," and "coupled" are used to describe both a direct and an indirect connection, a direct or indirect connection, and a direct or indirect coupling. In the figures, identical or similar elements are provided with identical reference numerals where appropriate.

[0035] Although phosphorescent structures and phosphorescent structural arrangements are described below, it should be noted that various structures and structural arrangements within the scope of this disclosure are not necessarily phosphorescent.

[0036] Several aspects of this revelation involve the combination of programmable luminescent labels with lateral structuring. A phosphorescent pattern cannot be reduced or extinguished by the lateral diffusion of oxygen. Oxygen from a non-activated area cannot suppress the phosphorescence of an adjacent, activated area. Furthermore, an area can extend across multiple structured cells.

[0037] By reducing oxygen diffusion (e.g., cross-diffusion), it is possible to store and retrieve written information in a process control system (PCS) for significantly longer periods. Furthermore, a finer structure allows for a higher information density, as smaller information areas can be used that would otherwise be quickly erased by oxygen diffusion.

[0038] Fig. 1 shows a phosphorescent structure 100 (e.g., in the form of a label, e.g., of a PLT) according to various aspects of this disclosure. The phosphorescent structure 100 vividly represents a (single) storage cell.

[0039] The phosphorescent structure 100 can have a support 102, for example, a substrate 102. The support 102 can be translucent in a wavelength range of visible light, for example, transparent. The support 102 can be a film. Alternatively, the support 102 can be made of plastic and / or metal. The support 102 can be configured as an oxygen fusion barrier.

[0040] A functional material system 104 (comprising one or more functional materials) can be arranged on the support 102. The functional material system 104 is configured such that it can be transferred without contact from a first phosphorescent state (e.g., a non-phosphorescent state) to a second phosphorescent state (e.g., a phosphorescent state). Each cell exhibits lower phosphorescence in the first phosphorescent state than in the second phosphorescent state.

[0041] Furthermore, the functional material system 104 can be configured such that it can be converted without contact from the second phosphor-decorating state (e.g., a phosphor-decorating state) to the first phosphor-decorating state (e.g., a non-phosphor-decorating state). The functional material system 104 can comprise a first organic material system with one or more first organic materials. Furthermore, a phosphor can be added to the functional material system 104 for phosphor decoration, for example, doped into the functional material system 104. The first organic material can comprise or be polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), to which approximately two mass percent of N,N'-di(1-naphthyl)-N,N'-diphenyl-(1,1'-biphenyl)-4,4'-diamines can be added as the phosphor.The functional material system can have a layer thickness in a range of 500 nm to 1200 nm, for example in a range of 700 nm to 1000 nm, for example a layer thickness of 900 nm.

[0042] The functional material system 104 can be configured such that it can be transformed from the first phosphorus-bearing state (e.g., non-phosphorus-bearing state) to the second phosphorus-bearing state (e.g., phosphorus-bearing state) by means of light of a first characteristic. Furthermore, the functional material system 104 can be configured such that it can be transformed from the second phosphorus-bearing state (e.g., phosphorus-bearing state) to the first phosphorus-bearing compound (e.g., non-phosphorus-bearing compound) by means of light of a second characteristic and / or by the introduction of heat.

[0043] A second organic material system 106 (which may comprise one or more second organic materials) can be arranged on the functional material system 104. The second organic material system 106 can be configured such that it is oxygen-permeable at room temperature.

[0044] Due to the optional layered arrangement of the functional material system 104 (e.g., the first organic material system 104) and the second organic material system 106, the functional material system 104 is already oxygen-tight in two spatial directions, i.e., vertically, by the second organic material system 106 and the support 102. The functional material system 104 can be applied to the support 102 by rotary coating, a line application process, pipetting, printing, or spray coating, and / or the second organic material system 106 can be applied to the functional material system 104 by rotary coating, a line application process, pipetting, printing, or spray coating. Alternatively, the functional material system 104 can be dissolved in an organic solvent.The second organic material system 106 can also be dissolved in an organic solvent. For example, the second organic material 106 can be dissolved in anisole, chlorobenzene, ethyl lactate, or water. The functional material system 104 and / or the second organic material system 106 can be dried after application. In this way, the solvent can be evaporated in a controlled manner. This can be done in an oven or on a hot plate. However, it should be noted that the functional material system 104 and the second organic material system 106 do not necessarily have to be arranged in layers. For example, the functional material system 104 does not have to be provided in a layer of uniform thickness.In various aspects of this disclosure, the functional material system 104 can be provided with a layer thickness in the range of 200 nm to 2000 nm, for example, in the range of 500 nm to 1500 nm, for example, with a layer thickness of 900 nm. The second organic material system can have a layer thickness in the range of 500 nm to 50 pm. The support 102 can also be made from the second organic material system.

[0045] The second organic material system 106 may contain ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymers.

[0046] Laterally, the functional material system 104 is completely covered by an oxygen fusion barrier material, for example by a first oxygen fusion barrier 108 (on the right side of the phosphorescent structure 100 in Fig. 1) and by a second oxygen fusion barrier 110 (on the left side of the phosphorescent structure 100 in Fig. 1). The first oxygen fusion barrier 108 and the second

[0047] Oxygen fdi f fusion barrier 110 can also laterally overlap at least a part of the carrier 102 and / or the second organic material system 106 .

[0048] In principle, the phosphorescent structure 100 can have any spatial shape. For example, the phosphorescent structure 100 can have a volume in a region of 10 pm * 10 pm * 10 pm, for example in a region of 5 pm * 5 pm * 5 pm, for example in a region of 2 pm * 2 pm * 2 pm.

[0049] The carrier 102, the second organic material system 106, the first oxygen fdi f fusion barrier 108 and the second oxygen fdif fusion barrier 110 vividly form an oxygen-impermeable encapsulation made of oxygen diffusion barrier material that completely encloses the functional material system.

[0050] The writing, erasing and rewriting of the phosphorescent structure 100 is carried out in an analogous manner to the writing, erasing and rewriting of the phosphorescent structure 200, which is explained in more detail below.

[0051] Fig. 2 shows a phosphorescent structure 200 (e.g. in the form of a label, e.g. of a PLT) according to various aspects of this disclosure.

[0052] The phosphorescent structure 200 can comprise a functional material system 204 (comprising one or more functional materials) with a plurality of cells. Each cell of the plurality of cells can be selectively and non-contactly converted from a first phosphorescent state (e.g., non-phosphorescent state) to a second phosphorescent state (e.g., phosphorescent state). Each cell exhibits lower phosphorescence in the first phosphorescent state than in the second phosphorescent state. Each cell is formed by a functional material system 204, which is surrounded laterally and vertically by oxygen-impermeable material (at least in a definable material state). Furthermore, an oxygen diffusion barrier material 212 is arranged between each pair of adjacent cells to reduce oxygen diffusion between the respective adjacent cells.

[0053] The phosphorescent structure 200 can have a support 202. The support 202 can be made of the same material as the support 102 from Fig. 1.

[0054] The functional material system 204 is arranged on the support 202. The functional material system 204 can be made of the same material or materials as the functional material system 104 from Fig. 1. The functional material system 204 is divided into individual, separate regions, which are also referred to as cells. An oxygen diffusion barrier made of oxygen diffusion barrier material 212 is arranged between each pair of adjacent regions of the functional material system 204 (for example, laterally). The oxygen diffusion barrier reduces or even prevents (for example, lateral) oxygen diffusion between each pair of adjacent cells of the functional material system 204. The oxygen diffusion barrier material 212 can be in physical contact with the functional material system 204 of each adjacent cell.

[0055] Two immediately adjacent cells are arranged laterally at a distance of 1 pm to 10 pm. In other words, oxygen diffusion barrier material 212 with a (lateral) material thickness in the range of 1 pm to 10 pm can be arranged between two immediately adjacent cells from the functional material system 204.

[0056] The phosphorescent structure 200 can further comprise additional oxygen diffusion barrier material that essentially completely encapsulates those regions of the functional material system that are free of the oxygen diffusion barrier material. Furthermore, a second organic material system 206 (comprising one or more second organic materials) can be arranged on top of (and in physical contact with) the functional material system 204 and the oxygen diffusion barrier material 212. The second organic material system 206 can be formed from the same material or materials as the second organic material system 106 of the phosphorescent structure 100 shown in Fig. 1.

[0057] The following describes a mechanism by which the functional material system 104, 204 is derived from the first

[0058] Phosphorescent compound (e.g., non-phosphorescent compound) can be converted into the second phosphorescent state (e.g., phosphorescent state) and from the second phosphorescent state (e.g., phosphorescent state) into the first phosphorescent state (e.g., non-phosphorescent state).

[0059] In various aspects of this revelation, the functional material system 104, 204 is configured such that it can be transformed from the first phosphorescent state (e.g., non-phosphorescent state) to the second phosphorescent state (e.g., phosphorescent state) by means of light of a first characteristic. Furthermore, the functional material system 104, 204 can be configured such that it can be transformed from the second phosphorescent state (e.g., phosphorescent state) to the first phosphorescent state (e.g., non-phosphorescent state) by means of light of a second characteristic and / or by the introduction of heat. The light of the first characteristic can be chosen to excite phosphorescence. The light of the first characteristic can have a wavelength of less than 700 nm, for example a wavelength of less than 550 nm, for example a wavelength of less than 460 nm.The light of the second characteristic is, for example, infrared (IR) light.

[0060] It may be possible to use the same light source for both the first characteristic light and the phosphor-excitation light if the first characteristic light and the phosphor-excitation light do not differ in wavelength but do differ in intensity; that is, the phosphor-excitation light is the first characteristic light with a second intensity. The first characteristic light then has a first intensity. The first intensity can be higher than the second intensity. The first intensity can be 10 to 100 times greater, for example, 20 to 90 times greater, 50 to 80 times greater, or 70 times greater than the second intensity. The first intensity can be in the range of 1 mWcm. -2 and 20 mWcm -2 , for example in a range of 3 mWcm -2and 15 mWcnr 2 , for example in an area of ​​5 mWcnr 2 and 10 mWcnr 2 , and for example at approximately 7 mWcnr 2 The second intensity can be in the range of 0.01 mWcnr. 2 and 1 mWcnr 2 , for example in a range of 0.05 mWcnr 2 and 0.5 mWcnr 2 , and for example at approximately 0.1 mWcnr 2 lay.

[0061] The second organic material system 106, 206 and / or the oxygen diffusion barrier material can be arranged such that it can be brought into a state by means of light of the second characteristic and / or by means of the introduction of heat in which the second organic material system 106, 206 and / or the oxygen diffusion barrier material becomes oxygen permeable.

[0062] Fig. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the phosphorescent structure 200 from Fig. 2, as well as a top view of an illumination mask 300, which is used to write or erase information from the cells using light with the respective characteristics described above. The mask 300 has openings 302. The openings 302 essentially have a shape and size that allows the respective cells to be illuminated to be manufactured with the functional material system 204. Depending on the shape of the cells, the openings 302 can be, for example, in the form of slits, round (e.g., circular or elliptical), polygonal (e.g., triangular, square, polygonal, rectangular), etc.

[0063] Fig. 3 shows the illumination of the cells with the respective characteristics for a time duration t required for writing or erasing (the illumination durations of the cells can differ for writing and erasing the cells). This is symbolized in Fig. 3 by an arrow 304.

[0064] The following section provides a more detailed description of the phosphorescent structure 100, 200. The phosphorescent structure 100, 200 is partially illuminated by the light from the first characteristic. For this purpose, the phosphorescent structure 100, 200 is partially covered with a mask relative to the light source of the first characteristic. The light from the first characteristic thus illuminates the phosphorescent area of ​​the label. The non-phosphorescent area of ​​the phosphorescent structure 100, 200 is not illuminated by the light from the first characteristic.

[0065] The light of the first characteristic (not shown), with a wavelength of approximately 365 nm, induces a transition of the phosphor in the first organic material system 104, 204 from the singlet state to an excited singlet state. From this excited singlet state, a portion of the phosphor transitions to an excited triplet state via intercombination. The first organic material system 104, 204 contains oxygen, which prevents phosphorescence. The oxygen is in a triplet ground state. In a triplet-triplet interaction, the phosphor transitions from the excited triplet state to the singlet state, and the oxygen transitions from the triplet ground state to an excited singlet state.The oxygen, in its singlet state, is highly reactive, oxidizes the first organic material system 104, 204, and is thereby bound (not shown). Thus, the oxygen present in the phosphorescent region of the lower layer is effectively deactivated. The second organic material 210, acting as an oxygen barrier, prevents the penetration of additional oxygen from the outside into the layer of the first organic material system 104, 204.

[0066] The non-phosphorescent region is not irradiated by the light of the first characteristic. Therefore, oxygen is not bound to the first organic material system 104, 204 and is not deactivated there. The phosphorescence of the functional material system 104, 204 is explained in more detail below.

[0067] For phosphorescence, the mask is removed, and the light from the first characteristic is still used for illumination, albeit at a significantly reduced intensity (not shown here). In the phosphorescent region, a transition of the phosphor from its singlet state to its excited singlet state is induced. From this excited singlet state, the phosphor can transition to its excited triplet state via intercombination. The transition from the excited triplet state to the singlet state is quantum mechanically forbidden, and thus the excited triplet state of the phosphor has long lifetimes.Nevertheless, over a long period of time, even after switching off the light source of the first characteristic, transitions from the excited triplet state of the phosphor to the singlet state of the phosphor occur, resulting in phosphorescence.

[0068] Since oxygen is not deactivated in the non-phosphorescent region, it prevents phosphorescence there. Therefore, the phosphorescent structure 100, 200 only phosphoresces in the phosphorescent region.

[0069] The phosphorescent structure 100, 200 can be produced in many different ways.

[0070] In a first example shown in Figs. 4A to 4D, the functional material system 104, 204 can be applied to the support 102, 202 in any shape, as already explained in detail above (see first process state 400 in Fig. 4A). Subsequently, depending on the desired shape of the cells to be formed, openings 412, for example in the form of trenches 412, can be created, for example by means of a lithography and etching process. The openings 412 are formed to such a depth that the support 102, 202 is exposed at the bottom of the openings 412 (see second process state 410 in Fig. 4B). Subsequently, the formed openings 412 are at least partially filled with the oxygen barrier material 212 (see third process state 420 in Fig. 4C) and then the second organic material 210 is applied to the formed structure over its entire surface to prevent vertical oxygen diffusion (see fourth process state 430 in Fig. 4D).

[0071] To form the phosphorescent structure 100 from Fig. 1, the cells formed in Fig. 4D can be separated, for example by one of the following methods: punching, cutting, sawing, laser cutting, and the like.

[0072] In a second example shown in Fig. 5A to Fig. 5D, the functional material system 104, 204 can be applied directly to the carrier 102, 202 in the desired cell shape and in any form whatsoever, for example by means of a printing process or a spraying process (see first process state 500 in Fig. 5A). Openings 502 are formed between the individual cells of functional material 204.

[0073] Subsequently, the formed openings 502 are at least partially filled with the oxygen barrier material 212 (see second process state 510 in Fig. 5B) and then the second organic material system 210 is applied to the formed structure over its entire surface to prevent vertical oxygen diffusion (see third process state 520 in Fig. 5C).

[0074] To form the phosphorescent structure 100 from Fig. 1, the cells formed in Fig. 5C can be separated, for example by one of the following methods: punching, cutting, sawing, laser cutting, and the like.

[0075] It should be noted that different functional materials can be contained in different cells, for example, to achieve different activation thresholds. Furthermore, different functional materials can also be arranged separately within one or more cells.

[0076] The following are several examples:

[0077] Example 1 is a structure comprising: a plurality of spatially separated cells, each comprising a functional material system, wherein each cell of the plurality of cells can be selectively and non-contactly converted from a first phosphorescent state to a second phosphorescent state by reducing the oxygen content contained in the cell, wherein the respective cell exhibits lower phosphorescence in the first phosphorescent state than in the second phosphorescent state; and one or more oxygen fusion barrier materials which at least partially enclose the cells to reduce oxygen fusion into the respective cell.

[0078] In Example 2, the subject of Example 1 may optionally include oxygen diffusion barrier material arranged between two adjacent cells to reduce oxygen diffusion between the respective adjacent cells.

[0079] In Example 3, the object of either Example 1 or 2 may optionally exhibit that the respective cell does not exhibit phosphorescence in the first phosphorescent state.

[0080] In Example 4, the object of any of Examples 1 to 3 may optionally have the functional material system further arranged such that it is convertible from the second phosphorescent state to the first phosphorescent state.

[0081] In Example 5, the object of any of Examples 1 to 4 may optionally have the oxygen diffusion barrier material forming an oxygen diffusion barrier layer between each pair of adjacent cells, such that a distance of 1 pm to 50 pm formed by the respective oxygen diffusion barrier layer is formed between each pair of adjacent cells, for example a distance of 5 pm to 30 pm, for example a distance of 10 pm to 20 pm.

[0082] In Example 6, the item may optionally include any of Examples 1 to 5, that the functional material system includes an organic material; and that a phosphor is added to the functional material system for phosphor decoration.

[0083] In Example 7, the object can optionally include any of Examples 1 to 6, such that the structure further comprises additional oxygen fdi f fusion barrier material that encapsulates those areas of the functional material system that are free of the oxygen fdi f fusion barrier material.

[0084] In Example 8, the object can optionally include any of Examples 1 to 7, such that the structure further comprises a support. The functional material system is formed in a layer, with the layer arranged above the support. The oxygen fusion barrier material is arranged between each pair of laterally adjacent cells to reduce oxygen fusion between the respective adjacent cells. The support is configured as an oxygen fusion barrier.

[0085] In Example 9, the object can optionally have any of Examples 1 to 8 in place of the carrier being set up as a film.

[0086] In Example 10, the object may optionally have any of Examples 8 or 9 in the form of a support made of plastic and / or metal.

[0087] In Example 11, the object can optionally have any of Examples 1 to 10 such that the carrier is translucent in a wavelength range in visible light.

[0088] In Example 12, the object of any of Examples 1 to 11 may optionally have that one side of the support facing away from the layer containing the functional material system is self-adhesive or magnetic.

[0089] In Example 13, the object of any of Examples 1 to 12 may optionally have the functional material system arranged such that it can be transformed from the first phosphor-decorating state to the second phosphor-decorating state by means of light of a first characteristic.

[0090] In Example 14, the object of any of Examples 1 to 13 may optionally have the functional material system arranged such that it can be converted from the second phosphor-decorating state to the first phosphor-decorating state by means of light of a second characteristic and / or by means of the introduction of heat.

[0091] In Example 15, the object of any of Examples 1 to 14 may optionally have the oxygen fdi f fusion barrier material configured such that it can be brought into a state by means of light of the second characteristic and / or by the introduction of heat in which the oxygen fdi f fusion barrier material becomes oxygen permeable.

[0092] In Example 16, the object can optionally have any of Examples 1 to 15, such that the structure is set up as a label.

[0093] Example 17 is a structure comprising: a functional material system that can be transferred without contact from a first phosphorescent state to a second phosphorescent state, wherein the functional material system exhibits lower phosphorescence in the first phosphorescent state than in the second phosphorescent state; and an encapsulation of oxygen-based fusion barrier material that completely surrounds the functional material system. In Example 18, the subject of Example 17 may optionally feature that the functional material system exhibits no phosphorescence in the first phosphorescent state.

[0094] In Example 19, the object of any of Examples 17 or 18 may optionally have the functional material system further arranged such that it is convertible from the second phosphores ornamental state to the first phosphores ornamental state.

[0095] In Example 20, the item may optionally have any of Examples 17 to 19 such that the encapsulation is formed of oxygen fdi f fusion barrier material of a thickness in a range of 0.5 pm to 20 pm.

[0096] In Example 21, the item may optionally include any of Examples 17 to 20, such that the functional material is arranged such that the functional material system includes an organic material; and that a phosphor is added to the functional material system for phosphor decoration.

[0097] In Example 22, the object of any of Examples 17 to 21 may optionally have the functional material system arranged such that it can be transformed from the first phosphor-decorating state to the second phosphor-decorating state by means of light of a first characteristic.

[0098] In Example 23, the object of any of Examples 17 to 22 may optionally have the functional material system configured such that it can be converted from the second phosphor-decorating state to the first phosphor-decorating state by means of light of a second characteristic and / or by means of the introduction of heat.

[0099] In Example 24, the object of any of Examples 17 to 23 may optionally have the oxygen fdi f fusion barrier material configured such that it can be brought into a state in which the oxygen fdi f fusion barrier material becomes oxygen permeable by means of light of the second characteristic and / or by the introduction of heat.

[0100] Example 25 is a structural arrangement comprising: an embedding structure; and a plurality of structures according to any one of Examples 17 to 24, which are embedded in the embedding structure.

[0101] In Example 26, the subject of Example 25 may optionally have an embedding structure that is translucent in a wavelength range of visible light.

[0102] In Example 27, the item may optionally have any of Examples 25 or 26 in which the phosphorescent structure arrangement is set up as a label.

[0103] Example 28 is a method for describing a structure according to any of Examples 1 to 16 or a structure arrangement according to any of Examples 25 to 27, comprising the method of selectively and non-contactly describing one or more cells of the plurality of cells of the structure according to any of Examples 1 to 16 or the structure arrangement according to any of Examples 25 to 27 by transferring the functional material system from the first phosphorescing state to the second phosphorescing state.

[0104] In Example 29, the object of Example 28 may optionally feature that, for the purpose of describing the functional material system, it is illuminated with light of a first characteristic.

[0105] In Example 30, the object of Example 29 may optionally have the light of the first characteristic being UV light.

[0106] Example 31 is a method for quenching a structure according to any one of Examples 1 to 16 or a structure arrangement according to any one of Examples 25 to 27, comprising the method of: introducing heat into the functional material system; wherein the heat causes the oxygen diffusion barrier material to be brought into a state in which the oxygen diffusion barrier material is permeable to oxygen; and the functional material system is at least partially brought from the second phosphorescent state to the first phosphorescent state.

[0107] Example 32 is a method for producing a structure comprising: forming a plurality of cells, each cell of the plurality of cells having functional material that can be selectively transferred without contact from a first phosphorescent state to a second phosphorescent state, wherein the respective cell has a lower phosphorescence in the first phosphorescent state than in the second phosphorescent state; and introducing oxygen diffusion barrier material between each pair of adjacent cells to reduce oxygen diffusion between the respective adjacent cells.

[0108] In Example 33, the subject of Example 32 may optionally exhibit that the respective cell does not exhibit phosphorescence in the first phosphorescent state.

[0109] In Example 34, the object of any of Examples 32 or 33 may optionally include the formation of the plurality of cells involving the application of the functional material system to a support in multiple cell areas.

[0110] In Example 35, the object of any of Examples 32 or 33 may optionally exhibit that the formation of the plurality of cells involves a separation of the functional material system into multiple cell regions.

[0111] Example 36 is a method for producing a structural arrangement, for example according to one of Examples 17 to 25, comprising the method of embedding a plurality of structures into an embedding structure.

Claims

Patent claims 1. Structure, exhibiting: • a plurality of spatially separated cells, each having a functional material system, wherein each cell of the plurality of cells selectively reduces the amount of material contained in the cell Oxygen content can be transferred without contact from a first phosphorescent state to a second phosphorescent state, whereby the respective cell exhibits a lower phosphorescence in the first phosphorescent state than in the second phosphorescent state; • one or more oxygen diffusion barrier materials that at least partially enclose the cells to reduce oxygen diffusion into the respective cell, with oxygen diffusion barrier material between two adjacent cells to reduce Oxygen fdif fusion is arranged between the respective neighboring cells.

2. Structure according to claim 1, wherein the respective cell in the first phosphorescent state has no phosphorescence.

3. Structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the functional material system is further configured such that it is transferable from the second phosphorescent state to the first phosphorescent state.

4. Structure according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the oxygen diffusion barrier material forms an oxygen diffusion barrier layer between each pair of adjacent cells, such that a distance of 1 pm to 50 pm formed by the respective oxygen diffusion barrier layer is formed between each pair of adjacent cells.

5. Structure according to one of claims 1 to 4, • wherein the functional material system comprises an organic material; and • wherein a phosphor is added to the functional material system for phosphorescence.

6. Structure according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising: additional oxygen diffusion barrier material encapsulating those areas of the functional material system that are free of the oxygen diffusion barrier material.

7. Structure according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising: • a carrier; • wherein the functional material system is formed in a layer, the layer being arranged above the support; • wherein the oxygen diffusion barrier material is arranged between each pair of laterally adjacent cells to reduce oxygen diffusion between the respective adjacent cells; • wherein the carrier is configured as an oxygen diffusion barrier.

8. Structure according to claim 7, wherein the carrier is configured as a film.

9. Structure according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the carrier is translucent in a wavelength range of visible light.

10. Structure according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the functional material system is arranged such that it can be transformed from the first phosphorescent state to the second phosphorescent state by means of light of a first characteristic.

11. Structure according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the functional material system is arranged such that it can be converted from the second phosphorescent state to the first phosphorescent state by means of light of a second characteristic and / or by means of the introduction of heat.

12. Structure according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the oxygen diffusion barrier material is configured such that it can be brought into a state in which the oxygen diffusion barrier material becomes permeable to oxygen by means of light of the second characteristic and / or by the introduction of heat.

13. Structure according to any one of claims 1 to 12, configured as a label.

14. Structure, exhibiting: • a functional material system that can be converted without contact from a first phosphorescent state to a second phosphorescent state, wherein the functional material system exhibits lower phosphorescence in the first phosphorescent state than in the second phosphorescent state; and • an encapsulation made of oxygen diffusion barrier material that completely encloses the functional material system.

15. Structure according to claim 14, wherein the functional material system has no phosphorescence in the first phosphorescent state.

16. Structure according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the functional material system is further configured such that it is separated from the second The phosphorescent state can be converted into the first phosphorescent state.

17. Structural arrangement, exhibiting: • an embedding structure; and • a plurality of structures according to any one of claims 14 to 16, which are embedded in the embedding structure .

18. Structural arrangement according to claim 17, wherein the embedding structure is translucent in a wavelength range of visible light.

19. Structural arrangement according to claim 17 or 18, configured as a label.

20. Method for describing a structure according to one of claims 1 to 13 or a structure arrangement according to one of claims 17 to 19, the method comprising: selectively and non-contactly describing one or more cells of the plurality of cells of the structure according to one of claims 1 to 13 or the structure arrangement according to one of claims 17 to 19, by transitioning the functional material system from the first phosphorescent state to the second phosphorescent state.

21. Method according to claim 20, wherein the functional material system is illuminated with light of a first characteristic for the purpose of description.

22. Method according to claim 21, wherein the light of the first characteristic is UV light.

23. Method for deleting a structure according to any one of claims 1 to 13 or a structure arrangement according to any one of claims 17 to 19, comprising the method: • Introducing heat into the functional material system; whereby the heat transforms the oxygen diffusion barrier material into a state in which the Oxygen diffusion barrier material is oxygen-permeable; and • wherein the functional material system is at least partially transformed from the second phosphorescent state to the first phosphorescent state.

24. Method for producing a structure, comprising the method: • Forming a plurality of cells, each cell of the plurality of cells possessing functional material that can be selectively transferred without contact from a first phosphorescent state to a second phosphorescent state, wherein the respective cell exhibits a lower phosphorescence in the first phosphorescent state than in the second phosphorescent state; • Introducing oxygen diffusion barrier material between each pair of adjacent cells to reduce oxygen diffusion between the respective adjacent cells.

25. Method for producing a structural arrangement, comprising the method: Embedding a plurality of structures according to any one of claims 14 to 16 into an embedding structure.

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