Dyed Polymer Articles for IR Laser Blocking and Visible Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for protective articles that can block harmful infrared laser radiation while allowing visible light transmission, particularly for high-power infrared fiber and disc lasers with wavelengths longer than 900 nm.
Innovation Solution
A dyed article comprising a polymer resin with a first dye providing peak infrared absorption between 900 nm and 1100 nm and a minus-violet dye that selectively absorbs blue and/or violet light, formulated using specific dye compounds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a single infrared-absorbing dye is used in the polymer resin, then infrared radiation blocking is achieved, but the dye undergoes photochemical degradation when exposed to high-energy violet and blue light
Solution Approach 1:
A minus-violet dye is introduced as an intermediary substance that absorbs high-energy violet and blue light before it can reach and degrade the infrared-absorbing dye. The minus-violet dye acts as a protective mediator, sacrificing itself to preserve the stability of the primary infrared-absorbing dye while maintaining overall protective functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by selecting specific infrared-absorbing dyes with particular molecular structures (such as amminium dyes with specific counterions) and combining them with minus-violet dyes having defined absorption characteristics. This parameter optimization enables both infrared blocking and improved stability simultaneously.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the infrared-absorbing dye concentration is increased to improve infrared blocking, then protection effectiveness increases, but visible light transmission decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using dyes with highly specific absorption characteristics - the infrared-absorbing dye targets only the 900-1100 nm infrared range while the minus-violet dye targets only the 380-480 nm violet-blue range. This selective local absorption in specific spectral regions allows infrared blocking without compromising visible light transmission in the 480-780 nm range.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes dye concentration parameters within specific ranges (infrared-absorbing dye at 0.01-5 wt% and minus-violet dye at 0.01-2 wt%) to achieve the desired balance between infrared blocking effectiveness and visible light transmission, preventing excessive absorption across the entire spectrum.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively blocks infrared radiation while allowing visible light transmission, providing protection against harmful laser radiation.
Implementation Method 1
a first dye that provides peak infrared absorption in the range of between about 900 nm and about 1100 nm in the resin
Implementation Method 2
a minus-violet dye, i.e., a dye compound that selectively or predominantly absorbs blue and/or violet light
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides dyed articles comprising a polymer resin and a) a first dye that provides peak infrared absorption in the range of between about 900 nm and about 1100 nm in the resin and b) a minus-violet dye. The present disclosure also provides minus-violet dyes according to Formulae II and III, and methods of making the minus-violet dyes.