Optical device

Abstract

Embodiments of an optical device including at least two transparent layers are disclosed.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of one example embodiment of a reflective optical device.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view of one embodiment of an optical device showing multiple layers of the optical device.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side view of one embodiment of an optical device showing multiple layers of the optical device.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side view of one embodiment of an optical device showing multiple layers of the optical device.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional side view of one embodiment of an optical device showing multiple layers of the optical device.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional side view of one embodiment of an optical device showing multiple layers of the optical device.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional side view of one embodiment of an optical device showing multiple layers of the optical device

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional side view of an optical device showing one example method of manufacturing one embodiment of the optical device.

Claims

1. An optical device, comprising: a base including a plurality of surface features each including a first side and a second side;a first transparent layer deposited substantially only on said first side of said base surface features, said first layer having a first index of refraction; anda second transparent layer deposited on said first transparent layer and having a second index of refraction different than said first index of refraction.

2. The device of claim 1 further comprising a transparent base layer deposited directly on said base such that said transparent base layer defines a plurality of surface features each corresponding to said surface features of said base, said transparent base layer having said second index of refraction and, said first transparent layer deposited substantially only on a first side of said plurality of said surface features of said transparent base layer.

3. The device of claim 1 further comprising: a third transparent layer deposited substantially only on a first side of surface features of said second transparent layer, said third transparent layer having said first index of refraction; anda fourth transparent layer deposited on said third transparent layer and having said second index of refraction.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein said base comprises a textured material.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein said surface features are chosen from at least one of the group consisting of protrusions and depressions.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein said second layer is deposited substantially only on said first side of said base surface features.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein said material on said first side of said surface features defines a reflective surface and wherein said material on said second side of said surface features defines a light transmissive surface.

8. The device of claim 1 wherein said first layer defines a first thickness and said second layer defines a second thickness different from said first thickness, and wherein a thickness of each layer is chosen to tune optical properties of said device.

9. The device of claim 1 wherein said first and second layers are each manufactured of a non-metallic dielectric material.

10. A method of manufacturing an optical device, comprising: positioning a base for deposition, said base including surface features each including a first side and a second side;depositing a first transparent layer on substantially only said first side of said surface features of said base; anddepositing a second transparent layer on said surface features of said base, said second transparent layer having an index of refraction different than an index of refraction of said first transparent layer.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein said base defines a textured plane and wherein said depositing said first transparent layer comprises spraying said first transparent layer on said base at a low angle with respect to said plane.

12. The method of claim 10 wherein said surface features are a structure chosen from the group consisting of peaks, valleys, grooves, and texture.

13. The method of claim 10 wherein said second transparent layer is deposited on said base prior to depositing said first transparent layer.

14. The method of claim 10 further comprising: depositing a third transparent layer on substantially only a first side of surface features of said second transparent layer, said third transparent layer having an index of refraction different from said index of refraction of said second transparent layer; anddepositing a fourth transparent layer on surface features of said third transparent layer, said fourth transparent layer having an index of refraction different from said index of refraction of said third transparent layer.

15. The method of claim 10 wherein at least seven sets of alternating transparent layers of first and second index of refractions, respectively, are deposited on said base, wherein every other layer is deposited on said first side of said surface features, to provide a device having a reflectivity of at least fifty percent on said first side of said surface features.

16. The method of claim 10 further comprising providing relative movement between said base and a deposition nozzle during depositing of said first transparent layer, and wherein said base comprises a dark, light-absorbing material.

17. The method of claim 11 wherein said second transparent layer is deposited from a nozzle positioned substantially perpendicular to said plane, and wherein said second transparent layer is deposited over substantially said first and second sides of said surface features.

18. The method of claim 10 wherein said first and second layers are each deposited having a thickness sufficient to tune said device.

19. A method of using of an optical device, comprising: projecting a first light from a first direction toward an optical device, wherein said first light is reflected from a first optical material stack positioned only on one side of surface features of said optical device; andprojecting a second light from a second direction toward said optical device, wherein said second light is absorbed by a second optical material stack positioned on said surface features of said optical device.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein said first light is imaging light from a projection source and said second light is non-imaging ambient light.