Optical Device Surface Texturing Into Substrate for Wide-Angle Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical devices struggle to achieve efficient transmission or reflection of electromagnetic radiation across a wide range of wavelengths and angles due to limitations in refractive index control and angle of incidence, particularly in multilayer constructions.
Innovation Solution
An optical device with a substrate and coating layer featuring cavities that extend through the coating layer and partially sink into the substrate, allowing for controlled variation of the effective refractive index and improved transmission or reflection properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multilayer construction is used to achieve anti-reflective or mirror effects, then transmission or reflection performance can be improved, but device complexity increases and manufacturing becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies surface texturing that creates cavities extending through the coating layer and partially into the substrate, forming a porous-like structure. This texturing creates an gradient effective refractive index that reduces reflection and enhances transmission without requiring multiple coating layers, thereby simplifying the device structure while maintaining optical performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical structure of the surface by creating cavities with specific depth and diameter ratios, transforming the effective refractive index parameter across the surface. This parameter change approach achieves anti-reflective or mirror effects without complex multilayer constructions, resolving the contradiction between performance and complexity
2Reliability
If multilayer construction is used to achieve anti-reflective or mirror effects, then transmission or reflection performance can be improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The surface texturing creates a porous-like cavity structure that can be manufactured in a single step using techniques such as laser ablation, photolithography, or nano-imprint lithography. This eliminates the need for multiple deposition steps required for multilayer constructions, significantly improving ease of manufacture while maintaining optical performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the anti-reflective or mirror function with a single substrate-coating structure featuring surface texturing, rather than requiring separate multilayer coatings. This consolidation simplifies the manufacturing process by reducing the number of fabrication steps while achieving the desired optical performance
3Reliability
If conventional surface texturing is used, then effective refractive index can be modified, but angle of incidence range remains limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates local variations in the surface structure by forming cavities with specific depth and diameter ratios that generate a gradient effective refractive index. This local quality modification allows the surface to interact with electromagnetic radiation at various angles of incidence, expanding the angular range over which the optical function remains effective
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extends the surface texturing from a two-dimensional surface pattern into the third dimension by creating cavities that penetrate through the coating layer and partially into the substrate. This dimensional extension creates a more gradual refractive index transition that maintains optical performance over a wider range of incident angles
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
Enhances transmission and reflection performance by modifying the refractive index and expanding the angle of incidence range, offering improved spectral width and maximum transmission with reduced absorption, while being easier to manufacture than traditional multilayer systems.
Implementation Method 1
texturing makes it possible to make the effective refraction index vary over the surface of the textured device
Implementation Method 2
The aim of the present invention is to propose an optical device, of the anti-reflective or mirror type
Data Source
AI summary
An optical device for transmitting/reflecting electromagnetic radiation in a wavelength range of an electromagnetic spectrum. The optical device includes a substrate made of a first material, a coating layer made of a second material that is different from the first material, and a a plurality of cavities formed in surface of the device. The plurality of cavities extend through the coating layer and are partially sunk into the substrate.