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Science & Technology News
Novel thin films used as an antireflection coating
Using a new technique, researchers from the Swiss firm Rolic Research have used mixtures of prepolymer and monomeric liquid crystals to create coatings that will cut down on glare or provide reflections to obscure a picture under certain conditions. The technology relies on the phase separation of the mixture whilst under UV illumination. As the liquid crystalline polymer cross-links the monomeric liquid crystal assembles into droplets. These droplets can then be dissolved off, leaving a pore like corrugated surface structure behind. By surface aligning the films first and controlling the film thickness and intensity of the UV light, the period and size of the grooves can be controlled. This enables the pore size to be manufactured in a micrometer range, so that visible scattering can occur in a direction determined by the orientation of the pores. Researchers have shown that depending upon the viewing angle these surface films can obscure a picture due to reflection, make it clearer or make in appear in negative. It is hoped that this technology my find applications in novel thin film devices, such as reflective and transmissive polarisers or diffuse and directional reflectors.
Date: July 2001
Source: Opto & Laser Europe, May 2001
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