Diffractive Pigment Embossed Stack Organic Nanoparticles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for producing diffractive pigments are costly due to the need for multiple equipment steps and the use of materials like aluminum, which limits the ability to create semi-transparent designs.

Innovation Solution

A diffractive pigment is created using a stack of alternating high refractive index and low refractive index layers, where the high refractive index layer includes an organic material and inorganic nanoparticles, and at least one layer of the stack is embossed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If standard thin film vacuum deposition processes are used to create multilayer designs, then the layers can be formed with controlled thickness and optical properties, but the types of materials that can be used are limited and the manufacturing process becomes complex and costly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing process simplicityVSAvoidmaterial selection flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple manufacturing steps into a single coating process. The multilayer design is created by depositing alternating layers of high and low refractive index materials directly onto the microstructured substrate in one continuous operation, eliminating the need for separate vacuum deposition steps for each layer and removing the requirement for release layers and wet stripping processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the refractive index parameter by using organic materials with high refractive index (greater than 1.65) combined with inorganic nanoparticles, rather than being limited to traditional inorganic materials. This allows for greater material versatility and optical property control while simplifying the manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Illumination intensity

If aluminum is used as a reflector layer in embossed multilayer designs, then high reflectivity is achieved, but the ability to create semi-transparent designs is lost and manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovereflectivityVSAvoidtransparency control

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material composition parameter by replacing aluminum with organic materials having high refractive index (greater than 1.65). This substitution maintains the optical functionality while enabling control over transparency levels and eliminating the need for aluminum-based reflector layers, thus allowing for semi-transparent diffractive pigment designs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Manufacturing precision

If multiple equipment steps are used to produce diffractive pigments including release layer evaporation, vacuum deposition, and wet stripping, then the multilayer design can be created, but manufacturing costs increase and productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemultilayer design accuracyVSAvoidproduction efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple discrete manufacturing steps into a single coating operation. The alternating layers of high and low refractive index materials are deposited directly onto the microstructured substrate in one process, eliminating the need for separate release layer application, vacuum deposition for each layer, and wet stripping operations, thereby significantly improving productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention segments the coating process into functional layers (high refractive index layers and low refractive index layers) that can be deposited in an alternating sequence during a single manufacturing run, allowing for precise control of multilayer design while maintaining high production efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

This approach reduces manufacturing costs by simplifying the production process and allows for the creation of transparent or semi-transparent diffractive pigments with varied embossing patterns, enhancing optical effects.

Implementation Method 1

the high refractive index layer is a composition including an organic material and high refractive index inorganic nanoparticles

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Implementation Method 2

at least one layer of the stack is embossed

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDiffraction: Diffraction

Implementation Method 3

a diffractive pigment including a stack including alternating layers of a high refractive index layer and a low refractive index layer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInterference: Interference

Data Source

PatentUS12271011B2Diffractive pigment including an embossed layer

Publication Date: 2025.04.08 VIAVI SOLUTIONS INC(US)

AI summary

A diffractive pigment includes diffractive pigment, includes a stack including alternating layers of a high refractive index layer and a low refractive index layer, in which the high refractive index layer is a composition including an organic material and high refractive index inorganic nanoparticles; in which at least one layer of the stack is embossed. A method of making a diffractive pigment is also disclosed.