US5235463A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method for the making of microlenses for optical applications
Assignee: Thales SA
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Filing: 1991-12-02
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Granted: 1993-08-10
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Expires: 2011-12-02
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed is a method for the making of microlenses for optical applications (display for example) resulting from the deposition of a liquid on a substrate, the surface of which has been locally modified so as to increase the wetting capacity of the liquid thereon. The substrate may be a polymer and the wetting liquid may be an organic fluid capable of hardening by an adapted treatment.
Inventors
- 👤 Dominique Broussoux
- 👤 Jean-Marc Bureau
- 👤 Daniel Dolfi
- 👤 Sylvain Lazare
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 18:53
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B3/00; G02B3/0006; G02B3/0037; G02B3/0056; B; B29; B29D; B29D11/00; B29D11/00009; B29D11/00365; G02B3/0012; G02B3/0062; G02B3/0068; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S359/00; Y10S359/90
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
47 words
A method for making microlenses wherein said microlenses are obtained by the deposition of the material on a substrate and wherein the method includes a step for the local surface modification by treatment of the substrate creating preferred zones of wettability for the material on the substrate.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
47 words
A method for making microlenses wherein said microlenses are obtained by the deposition of the material on a substrate and wherein the method includes a step for the local surface modification by treatment of the substrate creating preferred zones of wettability for the material on the substrate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method for making microlenses according to claim 1, wherein the substrate is of an organic nature.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method for making microlenses according to claim 2, wherein the surface of the substrate is locally modified by an intense UV radiation.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method for making microlenses according to claim 3, wherein the intense UV radiation is produced by an excimer laser.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method for making microlenses according to claim 1, wherein the microlenses are constituted by an organic material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method for making microlenses according to claim 2, wherein the organic material constituting the microlenses comprises a thermosetting resin or a resin hardenable by UV radiation.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method for making microlenses according to claim 6, wherein the organic material constituting the microlenses is a mixture of epoxy resin and hardening agent or a mixture of silicone resin and hardening agent.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
64 words
A method for making microlenses, wherein said microlenses are obtained by the deposition of a material on a substrate and wherein the method includes a step for the local surface modification by treatment of the substrate creating preferred zones of wettability for the material on the substrate, wherein the substrate is of an organic nature, and wherein the organic substrate is an aromatic polymer.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
64 words
A method for making microlenses, wherein said microlenses are obtained by the deposition of a material on a substrate and wherein the method includes a step for the local surface modification by treatment of the substrate creating preferred zones of wettability for the material on the substrate, wherein the substrate is of an organic nature, and wherein the organic substrate is an aromatic polymer.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method for making microlenses according to claim 8, wherein the aromatic polymer is of the polymide type or of the polyphenlquinoxaline type.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
72 words
A method for making microlenses, wherein said microlenses are obtained by the deposition of a material on a substrate and wherein the method includes a step for the local surface modification by treatment of the substrate creating preferred zones of wettability for the material on the substrate, wherein the microlenses are constituted by an organic material, and wherein the organic material constituting the microlenses comprises a monomer that is polymerizable in lump.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
72 words
A method for making microlenses, wherein said microlenses are obtained by the deposition of a material on a substrate and wherein the method includes a step for the local surface modification by treatment of the substrate creating preferred zones of wettability for the material on the substrate, wherein the microlenses are constituted by an organic material, and wherein the organic material constituting the microlenses comprises a monomer that is polymerizable in lump.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method for making microlenses according to claim 10, wherein the monomer polymerizable in lump is of the styrene type.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
78 words
A method for making microlenses on a substrate comprising the steps of: selecting a substrate whose surface chemical composition and wettability is modificable by exposure to radiation; irradiating selected portions of said substrate surface to modify the chemical composition and surface wettability of said selected portions of said substrate surface; depositing a fluid on said substrate surface which concentrates in drops on said irradiated selected portions; and treating said fluid drops to make said fluid drops into solids.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
78 words
A method for making microlenses on a substrate comprising the steps of: selecting a substrate whose surface chemical composition and wettability is modificable by exposure to radiation; irradiating selected portions of said substrate surface to modify the chemical composition and surface wettability of said selected portions of said substrate surface; depositing a fluid on said substrate surface which concentrates in drops on said irradiated selected portions; and treating said fluid drops to make said fluid drops into solids.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
11 words
Method according to claim 12 wherein said substrate is a polymer.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
60 words
Method according to claim 13 wherein said substrate is a kapton type polymer, said irradiated selected portions are approximately 25 μm pads at a pitch of approximately 40 μm; said irradiation is at a wavelength of approximately 193 nm with an energy of approximately 100 mJ/cm 2 ; and said fluid being deposited comprises an epoxy resin and hardening agent.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
Method according to claim 12 wherein said irradiation has a wavelength in the range of approximately 193 nm to 308 nm.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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GB2199156A
Cited
JPH02158632A
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US4948214A
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-08-09 | 1997-02-08 | 1997-08-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-08-09 | 2001-02-08 | 2001-08-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-08-09 | 2005-02-08 | 2005-08-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |