Static dissipation treatments for optical package windows

• US 20030179986A1
• Filed: 03/19/2002
• Published: 09/25/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/19/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Analog Devices, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Analog Devices, Inc.
• Inventors: Martin, John R., Felton, Lawrence E., Karpman, Maurice
• Granted Patent: US 7,033,672 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 385/18
• CPC Class Codes: C03C 17/007 containing a dispersed phase, e.g. particles, fibres or flakes, in a continuous phase
• CPC Class Codes: C03C 2217/445 Organic continuous phases
• CPC Class Codes: C03C 2217/475 Inorganic materials
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 1/116 including electrically conducting layers
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 1/16 having an anti-static effect, e.g. electrically conducting coatings
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3512 the optical element being reflective, e.g. mirror
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3582 Housing means or package or arranging details of the switching elements, e.g. for thermal isolation
• CPC Class Codes: H01B 1/122 Ionic conductors
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 977/75 Single-walled
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 977/753 with polymeric or organic binder
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/25 Web or sheet containing structurally defined element or component and including a second component containing structurally defined particles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31504 Composite [nonstructural laminate]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31544 Addition polymer is perhalogenated
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31678 Of metal
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31855 Of addition polymer from unsaturated monomers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31935 Ester, halide or nitrile of addition polymer

Abstract

An optically transparent conductive material is used for static dissipation of a cover material for an optical switching device. The optically transparent conductive material is deposited directly or indirectly on the cover material. The optically transparent conductive material forms an electrically continuous film. The optically transparent conductive material can also be used for anti-reflection.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a cover material for an optical device; and

an optically transparent conductive coating disposed directly or indirectly on the cover material for static dissipation.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the optically transparent conductive coating comprises an ionomer that is at least partially ionized.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the ionomer comprises a sulfonic acid based ionomer.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the sulfonic acid based ionomer comprises perfluorosulfonic acid copolymerized with tetrafluoroethylene.

5. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the ionomer comprises a carboxylic acid based ionomer.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the carboxylic acid based ionomer comprises methacrylic acid copolymerized with ethylene.

7. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the optically transparent conductive coating further comprises an ionizing medium for ionizing the ionomer.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the ionizing medium comprises water.

9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the ionizing medium comprises alcohol.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the ionizing medium comprises a high molecular weight alcohol.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the high molecular weight alcohol comprises one of:

glycerol;

1,2,3,4-butanetetrol;

polyvinyl alcohol; and

polyethylene oxide.

12. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the ionizing medium comprises an ionic liquid.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the optically transparent conductive coating comprises a Teflon AF film having dispersed therein a sufficient quantity of electrically conductive particles for making the Teflon AF film electrically conductive while maintaining sufficient optical transparency.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the electrically conductive particles comprise single wall carbon nanotubes.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the single wall carbon nanotubes are dispersed throughout the Teflon AF film in a sufficient volume percentage to provide electrical continuity across the film.

16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the single wall carbon nanotubes are substantially aligned in a plane perpendicular to an optical axis so as to maintain sufficient optical transparency.

17. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cover material comprises a metallized film for bonding to a metal frame, and wherein the optically transparent conductive coating contacts at least a portion of the metallized film.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, further comprising the metal frame bonded to the metallized film.

19. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the optically transparent conductive coating is deposited on the cover material in a manner sufficient to provide anti-reflection in addition to static dissipation.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the optically transparent conductive coating for anti-reflection and static dissipation is deposited to a thickness substantially equal to an odd multiple of one fourth of a predetermined optical wavelength in the film.

21. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a substrate having a cavity formed therein; and

a mirror structure bonded to the substrate within the cavity, wherein the cover material with optically transparent conductive coating is bonded to the substrate across the cavity.

22. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the optically transparent conductive coating comprises conductive particles held in a percolation network through surface forces without the use of a matrix film.

23. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the optically transparent conductive coating comprises an ionically conductive fluid applied at a thickness that is optically insignificant.

24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the ionically conductive fluid comprises an ionic liquid.

25. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the optically transparent conductive coating is at least partially organic.

26. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the optical device comprises integrated electronic circuitry.