Nano Bi-Material Electromagnetic Spectrum Shifter for Color Filters
Solution Overview
Problem
Current color filters face limitations in transmission range and color tunability, with existing technologies either requiring thick substrates for low transmission or precise multi-layer deposition, and single metal nanoparticles offering limited color tuning range due to high absorption in the visible region.
Innovation Solution
A nano bi-material electromagnetic spectrum shifter comprising two different metal nanoparticles with controlled dimensions and plasmonic coupling, where one metal has a screened plasma frequency in the near-ultraviolet or visible region, allowing for a wider range of color shifting and higher transmittance through red-shifting and plasmonic resonance tuning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If single metal nanoparticles are used for color filtering, then color effect can be achieved through surface plasmon resonance, but the color tuning range is limited due to high absorption in the visible region
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two different metal nanoparticles (first metal NP and second metal NP) into a hybrid composite structure. The first metal NP (e.g., silver, aluminum) provides strong plasmonic resonance, while the second metal NP (e.g., gold, copper) with screened plasma frequency in the visible region tunes the resonance wavelength. This composite approach enables broader color tuning range and higher transmittance compared to single metal nanoparticles.
2Ease of manufacture
If pigment and dye molecules are used for color filtering, then desired color effect can be achieved, but thick substrate is required resulting in low transmission
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional pigment/dye absorption mechanism with a plasmonic resonance mechanism using metal nanoparticles. Instead of relying on molecular absorption in thick substrates, the invention uses surface plasmon resonance of nanoparticles to achieve color filtering effects with much thinner structures, thereby significantly improving light transmission while maintaining color effects.
3Ease of manufacture
If multi-layer thin films are used for color filtering, then color effect can be achieved through reflection, but precise multi-layer deposition is required increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter from multi-layer thin film reflection to single-layer nanoparticle plasmonic resonance. By controlling nanoparticle size, shape, composition, and spacing, the desired color effects are achieved without requiring precise multi-layer deposition, thereby simplifying the fabrication process and reducing device complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
A nano bi-material (A,B), electromagnetic spectrum shifter based on said nano bi-material (A,B) and method to produce said electromagnetic spectrum shifter using said nano bi-material (A,B) are described. In particular, nano bi-material (A,B) based electromagnetic spectrum shifter, e.g. color filters, with a wide range of transmission and color tunability and methods to produce said color filters are presented. The applications in color filters and production of color filters, reflectors and production of reflectors, and electromagnetic spectrum shifters and production of electromagnetic spectrum shifters are provided.