Materion Gmbh

Kevin R Downing

Michael J Tatarek

Ian S Tribick

An apparatus (e.g., a multi-spectral optical filter array, an optical wafer, an optical component) has an aperture mask printed directly thereon, the aperture mask including a positive or negative photoresist. The apparatus includes a substrate having the aperture mask printed on at least one of a light entrance surface or a light exit surface of the substrate so as to provide an aperture over a portion of the substrate. The photoresist from which the aperture mask is formed is photo-definable or non-photo-definable, and is deposited/printed to form the aperture mask on the substrate.

Photo resist as opaque aperture mask on multispectral filter arrays

A three-dimensional inkjet printer and method for printing an aperture mask on a multi-spectral filter array. A custom tray is used by the printer allowing for printing on a prefabricated filter array. Photopolymer resin is deposited on the prefabricated filter array to form the aperture mask of dark mirror coating. An ultraviolet lamp illuminates the deposited photopolymer resin on the surface of the prefabricated multi-spectral optical filter array to cure the resin, thereby forming the mask. The prefabricated multi-spectral optical filter array includes an optical coating on at least one side, the aperture mask being formed on the optical coating, without the use of heat, chemical etching, or deformation of the optical coating.

Ability to three-dimensionally print an aperture mask on a multi spectral filter array

Optical filter elements each include a parallelogram-shaped substrate with parallel light entrance and light exit surfaces and parallel slanted sidewalls slanted at an angle, and an interference filter disposed on one or both of the light entrance surface and the light exit surface. The optical filter elements are bonded together at the slanted sidewalls to form the optical filter array. Light is filtered by illuminating the optical filter array at an angle &#x3b8; equal to or corresponding to the angle of the slanted sidewalls. In some embodiments the angle of the slanted sidewalls corresponds to the angle-of-incidence &#x3b8; by Snell's law.

Filter array with reduced stray light

An apparatus is disclosed comprising an optical filter array including an array of optical filter elements; wherein each optical filter element has opposing mutually parallel principal faces connected by sidewalls including at least one pair of opposing trapezoidal sidewalls and at least one pair of opposing sidewalls that are not mutually parallel; and wherein the opposing mutually parallel principal faces of the filter elements collectively define optical entrance and exit apertures of the optical filter array and include interference filters. Further disclosed is a method of illuminating such a filter array.

Growing community of inventors

Westford, MA, United States of America

Kevin R Downing