All-polymeric cold mirror

• US 5,339,198 A
• Filed: 10/16/1992
• Issued: 08/16/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 10/16/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company (Dow, Inc.)
• Inventors: Wheatly, John A., Motter, Gregg A.
• Primary Examiner(s): NOT, DEFINED
• Application Number:
  US07/963,305
• Time in Patent Office: 669 Days
• Field of Search: 359/359, 359/360, 359/580, 359/584, 359/586, 359/589, 428/213
• US Class Current: 359/359
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 1/04 made of organic materials, e.g. plastics G02B1/08 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/0841 comprising organic materials, e.g. polymers
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/0891 Ultraviolet [UV] mirrors apparatus for microlithography exposure G03F7/70; X-ray multilayer structures G21K1/06
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/206 comprising particles embedded in a solid matrix
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/208 for use with infrared or ultraviolet radiation, e.g. for separating visible light from infrared and/or ultraviolet radiation
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/26 Reflecting filters G02B5/28 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/287 comprising at least one layer of organic material

Abstract

An all-polymeric cold mirror which reflects visible wavelengths while transmitting a substantial portion of infrared wavelengths is provided. The mirror includes a sufficient number of alternating layers of at least first and second diverse polymeric materials such that at least 50% of peak reflecting visible light of a wavelength of between about 380-680 nm incident on the mirror is reflected and at least 50% of infrared light between about 680-2000 nm is transmitted or absorbed. The mirror may be designed so that it either reflects or absorbs ultraviolet light.

Claims

1. An all-polymeric cold mirror of at least first and second diverse polymeric materials, the mirror comprising a sufficient number of alternating layers of said first and second polymeric materials such that at least 50% of peak reflecting visible light of a wavelength of between about 380-680 nm incident on said polymeric cold mirror is reflected, at least 50% of infrared light between about 680-2000 nm is transmitted or absorbed, and wherein absorption in the wavelength range of between about 300-380 nm is at least 50%.

2. The polymeric cold mirror of claim 1 wherein one of said polymeric layers includes an ultraviolet light absorbing dye or pigment.