UV Absorbing Lens Coating for Adhesive Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
UV light exposure degrades adhesives in lens systems, leading to misalignment of lens elements in optical systems used in applications like lithography and semiconductor inspection, where the adhesive's degradation results in contamination and reduced performance.
Innovation Solution
A layered structure is introduced that includes a light absorber positioned between the lens and the adhesive, capable of absorbing UV light, along with an adhesion promoter/anti-reflective layer and a protective layer to prevent UV exposure and maintain alignment, using materials like chromium, titanium, and their oxides to absorb UV wavelengths and reduce reflectance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If UV protective coating is applied to protect adhesive from UV degradation, then adhesive reliability is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional coating layers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into a single integrated coating layer that simultaneously provides UV protection, adhesion promotion, and anti-reflective properties. This merging approach protects the adhesive from UV degradation while maintaining lens alignment and reducing optical reflections, all through one coating structure rather than separate layers for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The coating layer is designed to perform multiple functions: it acts as a UV filter to protect the adhesive, serves as an adhesion promoter to strengthen the bond between lens and holder, and provides anti-reflective properties to minimize optical interference. This multi-functional design protects the adhesive reliability while avoiding the complexity of multiple separate components.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If absorber material is positioned between lens and adhesive to block UV light, then adhesive degradation is prevented, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the UV absorption function with the adhesion promoter function into a single integrated coating layer. This eliminates the need for separate positioning and application of distinct absorber materials between the lens and adhesive, thereby preventing UV-induced adhesive degradation while simplifying the manufacturing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The coating layer utilizes composite material composition, combining UV-absorbing compounds with adhesion-promoting substances in a single formulation. This composite approach blocks harmful UV light from reaching the adhesive while maintaining ease of manufacture through a unified material application process rather than multiple sequential steps.
3Reliability
If multiple coating layers are applied to lens surface, then UV protection and adhesion are improved, but manufacturing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines UV protection, adhesion promotion, and anti-reflective functions into a single multi-functional coating layer applied in one process step. This merging of functions maintains lens alignment stability through comprehensive protection while reducing manufacturing time by eliminating the need for multiple sequential coating applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The single coating layer is designed with universal functionality to simultaneously provide UV filtration, enhance adhesion between lens and holder, and reduce optical reflections. This multi-functional design achieves reliable lens alignment stability without requiring multiple separate coating steps, thereby improving manufacturing productivity.
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 solution effectively prevents UV-induced degradation of adhesives, maintaining lens alignment and system performance by absorbing UV light and reducing contamination, while allowing transmission of curing wavelengths, thus enhancing the operational stability of optical systems.
Implementation Method 1
an absorber that is positioned to prevent exposure of the adhesive to degrading light
Implementation Method 2
an adhesion promoter/anti-reflective layer
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 4
AI summary
A lens assembly including a lens; a light absorber that does not transmit light with wavelengths from greater than or equal to about 190 nm to less than or equal to about 500 nm; a lens holder; and an adhesive configure to adhere the lens to the lens holder. The light absorber is positioned such that light having a wavelength from greater than or equal to about 190 nm to less than or equal to about 500 nm is not incident to the adhesive. A method including applying a light absorber, which does not transmit light with wavelengths from greater than or equal to about 190 nm to less than or equal to about 500 nm, to a lens; and configuring the light absorber and the adhesive so that the absorbed light is not incident to the adhesive. Also disclosed is a lens assembly comprising a lens, a light absorber that does not transmit light wavelengths from greater than or equal to about 190 nm to less than or equal to about 500 nm, and a protective layer positioned on the light absorber.