The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 13, 2009
Filed:
Nov. 18, 2005
Robert J. Devoe, Oakdale, MN (US);
Catherine A. Leatherdale, St. Paul, MN (US);
Jeffrey M. Florczak, Austin, TX (US);
Patrick R. Fleming, Lake Elmo, MN (US);
John E. Potts, Woodbury, MN (US);
Robert J. DeVoe, Oakdale, MN (US);
Catherine A. Leatherdale, St. Paul, MN (US);
Jeffrey M. Florczak, Austin, TX (US);
Patrick R. Fleming, Lake Elmo, MN (US);
John E. Potts, Woodbury, MN (US);
3M Innovative Properties Company, St. Paul, MN (US);
Abstract
Methods of fabricating optical elements that are encapsulated in monolithic matrices. The present invention is based, at least in one aspect, upon the concept of using multiphoton, multi-step photocuring to fabricate encapsulated optical element(s) within a body of a photopolymerizable composition. Imagewise, multi-photon polymerization techniques are used to form the optical element. The body surrounding the optical element is also photohardened by blanket irradiation and/or thermal curing to help form an encapsulating structure. In addition, the composition also incorporates one or more other, non-diffusing binder components that may be thermosetting or thermoplastic. The end result is an encapsulated structure with good hardness, durability, dimensional stability, resilience, and toughness.