MULTI-ATTRIBUTE LIGHT EFFECTS FOR USE IN CURING AND OTHER APPLICATIONS INVOLVING PHOTOREACTIONS AND PROCESSING

• US 20070154823A1
• Filed: 12/21/2006
• Published: 07/05/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Excelitas Technologies Corporation (Excelitas Technologies Holdings LLC)
• Original Assignee: Phoseon Technology, Inc.
• Inventors: Schreiner, Alex, Marson, Jon
• Granted Patent: US 7,642,527 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 430/30
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2429/02 Records or discs
• CPC Class Codes: G03F 7/2024 of the already developed image
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 7/26 Apparatus or processes specially adapted for the manufacture of record carriers

Abstract

Systems and methods that provide multi-attribute light effects, including one or more channels for each light effect, preferably both channels being provided in an array of solid state light emitters.

Claims

1. A method for performing a photo reaction on a target object, comprising:

emitting from a light source a continuous output of irradiance onto the target object having a first photo-reactive zone A, and a second photoreactive zone B;

superimposing over the continuous light output a pulsed light output of irradiance onto the target object, with the pulsed output having a peak irradiance level greater than that of the continuous light output;

wherein the target object has a first zone A that has a photo-reactive character that is different from a zone B, and the pulsed light output enhances a photo-reaction in zone A relative to the continuous light output.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the light source comprises an array of solid state light emitters having a power output/cm² from about 500 mW/cm² to about 4 W/cm².

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the wavelength of light from the first and second channels is within the range of from about 1800 nm to about 150 nm.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein the wavelength of light from the first and second channels is within the range of from about 420 nm to about 150 nm.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the continuous emission has an irradiance within the range of from about 100 mW/cm² to about 10,000 mW/cm².

6. The method of claim 2 wherein the continuous emission has an irradiance within the range of from about 100 mW/cm² to about 1.5 W/cm².

7. The method of claim 5 wherein the pulsed emission has a peak irradiance within a range of from about 5 W/cm² to about 5000 W/cm².

8. The method of claim 6 wherein the pulsed emission has a peak irradiance within a range of from about 1 W/cm² to about 30 W/cm² and the ratio for the peak of the pulse to the base of the pulse is at least about 0.02 to about 100.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the duty cycle for the pulsed emission is from about 1% to about 50% at about 0.02 Hz to about 40,000 Hz.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the duty cycle for the pulsed emission is from about 1% to about-25% at about 0.02 Hz to about 40,000 Hz.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein the duty cycle for the pulsed emission is from about 1% about 10% at about 0.02 Hz to about 40,000 Hz.

12. The method of claim 1 further comprising introducing during light output a laminar flow across a surface area of the material exposed to the light.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein an inerting agent is introduced via the laminar flow.

22. The method of claim 1 wherein the target object comprises a CD or DVD.

23. The method of claim 2 wherein the output is provided by groups of emitters comprising a first group of one or more emitters dedicated to the continuous output and a second group of emitters dedicated to providing the pulsed output.

24. The method of claim 2 wherein the output is provided by a group of emitters dedicated to providing both the continuous and pulsed outputs.

27. The method of claim 2 wherein the continuous and pulsed output profiles, respectively, are selected so as to couple into respective absorption bands for predetermined Zone A and Zone B photo-reactants.

28. The method of claim 2 wherein the polymerization reagents in the target object comprise a photo-initiator compound and a monomer or oligomer reactive with the compound.

29. The method of claim 28 wherein the polymerization reagents are selected from the group consisting of reagents for epoxies, acrylates, polyimides, and polyamides.

30. The method of claim 28 wherein the method comprises an application for curing inks;

automotive coatings;

industrial coatings;

cement or concrete coatings;

adhesives;

tape release polymers in semiconductor processes;

paints;

or lithography.

31. The method of claim 2 wherein the method is used in an application comprising cleaning or sterilizing the target object.

14. A system for performing curing of target object, comprising:

a light source comprising an array of solid state light devices configured for providing onto the target object a (i) first channel of light output comprising a substantially continuous pulse of light emission, and (ii) a second channel of light output comprising a pulsed light emission, both channels being within a wavelength range sufficient to caused desired curing in the target object, and wherein the second channel pulsed emission of light at a peak irradiance is in the range of about 2 to about 100 times greater than that of the irradiance of the continuous emission.

15. The system of claim 14 wherein the light source is enabled for a pulsed emission duty cycle of from about 1% to about 25% at about 0.02 Hz to about 40,000 Hz.

16. The system of claim 14 wherein the light source is enabled for a pulsed emission duty cycle of from about 1% to about 10% at about 0.02 Hz to about 40,000 Hz.

17. The system of claim 14 further comprising a laminar flow device for introducing laminar flow across a surface of the curable material of the target object that is exposed to the light emission from the light source.

18. The system of claim 14 further comprising a source of an inerting agent deliverable over the surface area by a laminar flow.

19. A method comprising:

providing a flow of a fluid over at least one surface zone of a target object;

exposing the target object to a light that fosters a reaction in association with the at least one surface zone of the target object; and

wherein the light comprises light from a solid state light source, the light source outputting to the target object a light profile comprising a continuous mode of output and a super-imposed pulsed mode.

25. The method of claim 19 wherein the output is provided by groups of emitters comprising a first group of one or more emitters dedicated to the continuous output and a second group of emitters dedicated to providing the pulsed output.

26. The method of claim 19 wherein the output is provided by a group of emitters dedicated to providing both the continuous and pulsed outputs.

20. A product comprising a photo-reacted target object, the target object being formed by a method comprising:

emitting from a light source a continuous level of irradiance onto the target object having a first photo-reactive zone A, and a second photoreactive zone B;

superimposing over the continuous light output a pulsed light output having a peak irradiance level greater than that of the irradiance level of the continuous light output;

wherein the target object has a first zone A that has a photo-reactive character that is different from a zone B, and the pulsed light output enhances a photo-reaction in zone A relative to the continuous light output.

21. A product comprising a photo-reacted target object, the target object being formed by a method comprising:

providing a laminar flow of a fluid over at least one surface zone of a target object;

exposing the target object to a light that fosters a reaction in association with at least one surface zone of the target object; and

wherein the light comprises light from a solid state light source, the light source outputting to the target object a light profile comprising a continuous mode of output and a super-imposed pulsed mode.