Low-Viscosity Thioester Composition for High-Index Diffractive Optics

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing curable compositions used for optical resins in diffractive optical elements face issues with resin chipping during mold release, crystal precipitation, and turbidity, failing to achieve both high refractive index and low viscosity simultaneously.

Innovation Solution

A curable composition comprising a monofunctional (meth)acrylic acid thioester monomer and a difunctional (meth)acrylic acid thioester monomer, with specific structural configurations to enhance temporal stability and reduce viscosity, while achieving a refractive index of 1.650 or more.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If a polymerizable compound with aromatic ring structure is used to achieve high refractive index, then refractive index is improved, but viscosity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverefractive indexVSAvoidviscosity
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical structure parameters by introducing specific aromatic ring structures with electron-withdrawing groups (nitro, cyano, or carbonyl groups) at meta or para positions relative to the thioester group. This structural modification increases the refractive index while controlling viscosity through the specific arrangement of functional groups, achieving both high refractive index and acceptable viscosity levels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite monomer structure combining aromatic rings with electron-withdrawing groups and thioester groups in specific configurations. This composite molecular design achieves synergistic effects where the aromatic rings provide high refractive index while the thioester groups and specific substituent arrangements maintain viscosity at acceptable levels for imprinting applications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Illumination intensity

If conventional polymerizable compounds are used to achieve high refractive index, then refractive index is improved, but resin chipping occurs during mold release

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverefractive indexVSAvoidresin chipping
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the polymerizable compound by introducing specific aromatic ring structures with electron-withdrawing groups at meta or para positions. This parameter change in molecular structure enhances the refractive index while the specific structural configuration reduces resin chipping during mold release by improving the balance between crosslinking density and surface integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality modification by placing electron-withdrawing groups at specific positions (meta or para) relative to the thioester group on the aromatic ring. This localized structural modification optimizes the refractive index contribution while controlling the polymerization behavior to prevent resin chipping during demolding.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Illumination intensity

If conventional polymerizable compounds are used to achieve high refractive index, then refractive index is improved, but crystal precipitation and turbidity occur in storage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverefractive indexVSAvoidtemporal stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameters by introducing aromatic ring structures with electron-withdrawing groups at specific positions. This structural modification increases refractive index while the specific molecular configuration improves temporal stability by preventing crystal precipitation and turbidity during storage, likely through optimized molecular packing and reduced tendency for phase separation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 composition achieves low viscosity and high refractive index with improved temporal stability, reducing resin chipping and maintaining clarity, suitable for manufacturing optical materials and diffractive optical elements with precise microstructures.

Implementation Method 1

a curable composition comprising: a monofunctional (meth)acrylic acid thioester monomer represented by General Formula (1); and a difunctional (meth)acrylic acid thioester monomer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPolymerization: Photopolymerisation

Data Source

PatentUS20250277072A1Curable composition, cured product, optical material, diffractive optical element, and monofunctional (METH)acrylic acid thioester monomer
Publication Date: 2025.09.04 FUJIFILM CORP
  • US20250277072A1 patent drawing
  • US20250277072A1 patent drawing
  • US20250277072A1 patent drawing

AI summary

The present invention provides a curable composition including a monofunctional (meth)acrylic acid thioester monomer represented by General Formula (1) and a difunctional (meth)acrylic acid thioester monomer; a cured product, an optical material, and a diffractive optical element that use the curable composition; a monofunctional (meth)acrylic acid thioester monomer represented by General Formula (1); and a curable composition including the monofunctional (meth)acrylic acid thioester monomer represented by General Formula (1).In the formula, R1 represents a group containing an arylene group and an S atom, and L represents a single bond or a methylene group. R2 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group.