Inorganic Optical Filter Composition for UV-Stable IR Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional infrared sensors face issues with optical filters that deteriorate due to ultraviolet light exposure, leading to changes in optical properties over time, limiting their use and effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
An optical filter comprising a matrix made from an inorganic substance with low water solubility and a wavelength selective absorption material dispersed within, which maintains durability and stability in various environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a resin-based optical filter is used to achieve easy production and wide selection range of transmission wavelength bands, then manufacturing ease and wavelength selection flexibility are improved, but durability and stability under ultraviolet light exposure deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite material consisting of inorganic particles (such as glass beads) dispersed in a resin matrix. This composite structure combines the ease of manufacturing and wavelength selection flexibility of resin-based filters with the durability and UV resistance of inorganic materials. The inorganic particles provide structural stability and resistance to environmental degradation while the resin matrix enables flexible wavelength band selection through its optical properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the filter by controlling the particle size, concentration, and refractive index of the inorganic particles dispersed in the resin. By adjusting these parameters, the filter achieves both the desired wavelength transmission characteristics and improved durability. Specifically, using inorganic particles with controlled size distribution and refractive indices allows tuning of the transmission bandwidth while enhancing UV resistance.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a resin-based optical filter is used to achieve easy production and wide selection range of transmission wavelength bands, then manufacturing ease and wavelength selection flexibility are improved, but optical property stability over time deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The composite structure of inorganic particles in a resin matrix provides both wavelength selection flexibility and optical property stability. The inorganic particles act as stable scattering centers that maintain consistent optical properties over time, while the resin matrix allows for flexible wavelength band selection. This combination resolves the contradiction between adaptability and stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by creating regions with different inorganic particle concentrations and sizes within the filter structure. This allows different parts of the filter to have optimized properties for either wavelength selection or stability, with the overall structure achieving both flexibility and optical property consistency over time.
3Reliability
If an inorganic substance matrix is used to improve durability and UV resistance, then reliability and environmental stability are improved, but manufacturing complexity and processing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The composite material approach allows the filter to achieve the durability of inorganic substances while maintaining the manufacturing simplicity of resin-based filters. The inorganic particles are simply dispersed in the resin matrix using conventional mixing and molding techniques, avoiding the need for complex high-temperature sintering or specialized inorganic processing equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The resin matrix acts as an intermediary that simplifies the manufacturing of inorganic-based filters. Instead of directly processing brittle inorganic materials which requires complex equipment and techniques, the resin matrix provides a workable medium that can be easily molded and processed, while the embedded inorganic particles provide the desired durability and UV resistance.
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 inorganic-based optical filter provides enhanced durability, stability, and reduced dependency on incident angle, allowing for effective noise reduction and improved sensitivity in infrared sensors.
Implementation Method 1
resins are known to deteriorate due to exposure to ultraviolet light. Therefore, with conventional band-pass filters, the optical properties may change with the passage of time
Implementation Method 2
an optical filter that selectively transmits only infrared rays having a specific wavelength
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an optical filter including: a matrix including an inorganic substance having a water solubility of 0.4 g/100 g-H2O or less; and a wavelength selective absorption material dispersed in the matrix. The optical filter absorbs an optical component having a wavelength of any band in a target wavelength band of 0.8 to 20 μm. A temperature at which a mass reduction rate of the wavelength selective absorption material is 10% by mass when heated in air from 100° C. at a rate of 10° C./min is 900° C. or less. An apparent density of the optical filter relative to a true density of the matrix is 70% or more. In the target wavelength band, a wavelength bandwidth where a linear transmittance per 1 mm thickness of the optical filter is 30% or more is 50 nm or more.