Temporary Protective Lacquer for Optical Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
The production and finishing of complex optical elements are challenging due to the need for precise application and removal of absorber varnishes on reflective and transmissive surfaces without contaminating transmissive surfaces, which can lead to image errors or loss of transmission.
Innovation Solution
A lacquer composition comprising a thiol compound with two or more thiol groups, a compound with two or more carbon-carbon double bonds, and a release agent with an alkyl radical of 4-20 carbon atoms, which forms a protective lacquer that balances adhesion and removability, ensuring protection against chemical and physical influences during manufacturing and can be easily peeled off.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If absorber lacquer is applied to reflective surfaces with sharp edges, then stray light is eliminated and surfaces are protected, but transmissive surfaces may be contaminated causing image errors or transmission loss
Solution Approach 1:
The optical element surface is segmented into different functional zones (reflective surfaces requiring absorber coating and transmissive surfaces requiring protection). A masking layer is applied selectively to transmissive surfaces to segment them from the absorber coating process, preventing contamination while allowing absorber lacquer to be applied to reflective surfaces for stray light elimination.
Solution Approach 2:
A masking layer acts as an intermediary substance between the absorber lacquer and transmissive surfaces. This intermediate layer prevents direct contact and contamination of transmissive surfaces during the absorber coating process, while still allowing the absorber lacquer to perform its function on exposed reflective surfaces.
2Reliability
If protective coating strongly adheres to optical surfaces, then protection against chemical and physical influences is improved, but removal without residue becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The masking layer composition parameters are specifically designed to achieve optimal adhesion strength - strong enough to provide reliable protection during manufacturing processes (resisting chemicals, solvents, and mechanical handling) but weak enough to allow complete removal without residue. The parameter range includes specific polymer composition ratios and thickness specifications that balance these opposing requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The masking layer is formulated as a composite material combining multiple polymer components with complementary properties. This composite structure provides both strong protective adhesion during manufacturing and controlled removability, achieving the balance between protection stability and ease of removal that single-material coatings cannot achieve.
3Manufacturing precision
If transmissive surfaces are protected during manufacturing, then contamination is prevented, but the protection must be completely removable without leaving residue
Solution Approach 1:
The masking layer is designed as a temporary, disposable protective coating that serves its purpose during manufacturing and is then completely removed. It is formulated to provide adequate protection during the manufacturing process but is intentionally designed to be completely removable without residue, accepting that the material will be discarded after use rather than remaining on the optical surface.
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 lacquer composition provides excellent protection and removability, maintaining optical surface integrity through radical polymerization, stability against subsequent processes, and minimal residue removal, ensuring precise and residue-free application.
Implementation Method 1
The developed polymer system is based on the principle of radical polymerization of thiol-ene systems
Implementation Method 2
the release agent accumulates at the interface during the curing process, allowing the protective coating to be easily removed from the optical surface to be protected
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
A lacquer composition is provided, comprising 20%-79.9% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition, of a thiol compound having two or more thiol groups, 20%-79.9% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition, of a compound having two or more carbon-carbon double bonds and 0.1%-10% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition, of a separating agent having an alkyl radical having 4-20 carbon atoms, where the alkyl radical is unsubstituted or fluorine-substituted and the alkyl radical is bonded to a functional group. Also provided are the use of this lacquer composition as a protective lacquer on an optical surface of an optical element in the production of the optical element, and an optical element comprising the protective lacquer.