Multi-layer optical films

• US 9,459,386 B2
• Filed: 11/11/2010
• Issued: 10/04/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 11/18/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Inventors: Hebrink, Timothy J., Roehrig, Mark A., Weigel, Mark D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Won, Bumsuk
• Assistant Examiner(s): MADONNA, JEFFREY E
• Application Number:
  US13/509,851
• Publication Number:
  US 20120229893A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,154 Days
• Field of Search: 359577-509, 359350-361, 359601-603, 359/885
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 33/08 Homopolymers or copolymers of acrylic acid esters
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 33/12 Homopolymers or copolymers of methyl methacrylate
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 67/00 Compositions of polyesters obtained by reactions forming a carboxylic ester link in the main chain of polyester-amides C08L77/12; of polyester-imides C08L79/08; Compositions of derivatives of such polymers
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 1/04 made of organic materials, e.g. plastics G02B1/08 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 1/14 Protective coatings, e.g. hard coatings
• 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 5/208 for use with infrared or ultraviolet radiation, e.g. for separating visible light from infrared and/or ultraviolet radiation
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/283 designed for the ultraviolet
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/287 comprising at least one layer of organic material

Abstract

Multi-layer optical film (10) comprising optical layers reflecting at least 50 percent of incident UV light over specified wavelength ranges. Embodiments of the multi-layer optical films are useful, for example, as a UV protective covering.

Claims

1. A multi-layer optical film comprising a plurality of at least first and second polymeric optical layers having a major surface and collectively reflecting at least 50 percent of incident UV light over at least a 30 nanometer wavelength range in a wavelength range from at least 300 nanometers to 400 nanometers, and a third optical layer having first and second generally opposed first and second major surfaces and absorbing at least 50 percent of incident UV light over at least a 30 nanometer wavelength range in a wavelength range from at least 300 nanometers to 400 nanometers, wherein the major surface of the plurality of first and second polymeric optical layers is proximate to the first major surface of the third polymeric optical layer, wherein there is not another multi-layer optical film proximate the second surface of the third optical layer, and wherein at least one of the first or second polymeric optical layers comprise a UV absorber.

2. The multi-layer optical film of claim 1, wherein incident UV light transmission through at least the first, second, and third optical layers is less than 5 percent in a wavelength range from at least 300 nanometers to 400 nanometers.

3. The multi-layer optical film of claim 1 having a UV transmission band edge in a range from 10 to 90 percent transmission spanning less than 20 nanometers.

4. A multi-layer optical film comprising a first plurality of at least first and second polymeric optical layers having a major surface and collectively reflecting at least 50 percent of incident UV light over at least a 30 nanometer wavelength range in a wavelength range from at least 300 nanometers to 400 nanometers, and a third optical layer having first and second generally opposed first and second major surfaces and collectively absorbing at least 50 percent of incident UV light over at least a 30 nanometer wavelength range in a wavelength range from at least 300 nanometers to 400 nanometers, wherein the major surface of the plurality of first and second polymeric optical layers is proximate to the first major surface of the third optical layer, and wherein there is a second plurality of first and second polymeric optical layers having a major surface and collectively reflecting at least 50 percent of incident UV light over at least a 30 nanometer wavelength range in a wavelength range from at least 300 nanometers to 400 nanometers proximate to the second major surface of the third optical layer, and wherein some of at least one of the first or second polymeric optical layers comprise a UV absorber.

5. The multi-layer optical film of claim 4, wherein incident UV light transmission through at least the first, second, and third optical layers is less than 5 percent in a wavelength range from at least 300 nanometers to 400 nanometers.

6. The multi-layer optical film of claim 4 having a UV transmission band edge in a range from 10 to 90 percent transmission spanning less than 20 nanometers.

7. A multi-layer optical film comprising a plurality of at least first and second polymeric optical layers having opposing first and second major surfaces and collectively reflecting at least 50 percent of incident UV light over at least a 30 nanometer wavelength range in a wavelength range from at least 300 nanometers to 400 nanometers, a third optical layer having a major surface and absorbing at least 50 percent of incident UV light over at least a 30 nanometer wavelength range in a wavelength range from at least 300 nanometers to 400 nanometers proximate to the first major surface of the plurality of at least first and second polymeric optical layers, and a fourth optical layer absorbing at least 50 percent of incident UV light over at least a 30 nanometer wavelength range in a wavelength range from at least 300 nanometers to 400 nanometers proximate to the second major surface of the plurality of at least first and second polymeric optical layers, and wherein some of at least one of the first or second polymeric optical layers comprise a UV absorber.

8. The multi-layer optical film of claim 7, wherein incident UV light transmission through at least the first, second, and third optical layers is less than 5 percent in a wavelength range from at least 300 nanometers to 400 nanometers.

9. The multi-layer optical film of claim 7 having a UV transmission band edge in a range from 10 to 90 percent transmission spanning less than 20 nanometers.