1. A refractometer comprising:
spectroscopic cell including a container adapted to hold a photocurable mixture;
a prismatic means having an interface surface disposed adjacent an optical window disposed in the container;
a measurement light source adapted to emit a measurement light beam, the measurement light beam illuminating the interface surface at selectable incidence angles so as to reflect a portion of the measurement light beam as an internally reflected light beam;
a light detection means disposed so as to receive the internally reflected light beam; and
a photonic curing means adapted to selectively emit a curing light beam and disposed so as to irradiate the photocurable mixture with the curing light beam.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the prismatic means comprises a prism having a plurality of sides, including a first side comprising the interface surface,
wherein, the prism is disposed so as to receive the measurement light beam through the second side and adapted to emit the internally reflected light beam from a third side, and
wherein, the prism is disposed so as to receive the curing light beam through at least one face and adapted to emit the curing light beam from the first face through the optical window and into the photocurable polymeric material.
3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the prism comprises cubic zirconium.
4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the measurement light source comprises a measurement laser, and
wherein, the measurement light beam comprises a measurement laser beam.
5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the measurement laser comprises a visible light laser.
6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein, the light measuring means comprises:
a photon detector disposed so as to receive the internally reflected light beam and adapted to produce a signal proportional the intensity of the internally reflected light beam; and
a computer system adapted to receive the signal provided from the photon detector and further adapted to determine the intensity of the internally reflected light beam.
7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein, with the container holding a test amount of the photocurable mixture in a selected boundary state, the apparatus is adapted to rotate the spectroscopic cell, the prism, and the photon detector relative to the measurement laser, and
wherein, the apparatus is further adapted to illuminate the interface surface at each of a plurality of selected incidence angles and to determine the intensity of the internally reflected light beam of the mixture in the selected boundary state at each incidence angle selected.
8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein, the boundary state comprises an uncured state.
9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the boundary state comprises an cured state.
10. The apparatus of claim 7, the apparatus further comprising:
a rotation means having the spectroscopic cell, the prism, and the photon detector mounted thereon and adapted to rotate relative to the measurement laser.
11. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the computer system is adapted to determine, for each selected incidence angle, the effective refractive index and to correlate, for each selected incidence angle, the effective refractive index and the intensity of the internally reflected light beam of the mixture in the selected boundary state.
12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the computer system is further adapted to determine the refractive index of photocurable mixture in the selected boundary state.
13. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein, with the container holding a working amount of the selected photocurable mixture and with the curing light source operated so as to selectively transmit the curing light,
the rotation means is fixed at a point of rotation such that the measurement laser illuminates the interface surface at a selected curing incidence angle during the curing cycle, and
the computer is adapted to determine the intensity of the internally reflected beam of the working amount of the selected mixture at a selected point in the cure cycle, and
the computer is further adapted to determine the refractive index of the working amount of the selected mixture at the selected point in the cure cycle by comparing of the intensity of the internally reflected beam the working amount of the selected mixture at the selected point in the cure cycle with the effective refractive index curve of the mixture in a selected boundary state and then extrapolating the change in refractive index of the mixture at the selected point in the cure cycle.
14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein, the selected photocurable mixture comprises a photocurable polymeric mixture.
15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein, the selected photocurable polymeric mixture comprises a photocurable resin or adhesive.
16. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein, the boundary state comprises an uncured state.
17. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the boundary state comprises an cured state.
18. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein, the selected curing incidence angle comprises the critical incidence angle of the photocurable mixture in a selected boundary state, and
wherein, the boundary state is selected from the group of states including an uncured state and a cured state.
19. The apparatus of claim 2, the photonic curing means comprising:
a source of photonic radiation adapted to emit the curing light beam; and
a light conduit adapted to receive the curing light beam and to emit the curing light beam into a face of the prism.
20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the source of photonic radiation comprises a UV lamp adapted to emit a UV light, and
wherein, the light conduit comprises a fiber optic means and a collimator.
21. A method of determining the refractive index of a photocurable polymeric mixture at a selected point during the curing cycle, the method comprising the steps:
(a) providing:
a container adapted to hold a selected photocurable polymeric mixture, the mixture disposed adjacent an interface surface of a prism optically coupled to the container;
a measurement light beam illuminating the interface surface at selectable incidence angles so as to reflect a portion of the measurement light beam as an internally reflected light beam;
a light detection means disposed so as to receive the internally reflected light beam and adapted to measure the intensity of the internally reflected light beam;
a photonic curing means operable to selectively transmit a curing light beam and disposed so as to irradiate the photocurable polymeric mixture through the interface surface with the curing light beam; and
a rotation means adapted to adapted to rotate the container, the prism, and the light detection means relative to the measurement light beam;
(b) selecting a photocurable polymeric mixture;
(c) providing a working amount of the selected mixture disposed within the container;
(d) fixing the rotation means at a point of rotation such that the measurement light beam illuminates the interface surface at a selected curing incidence angle during the curing cycle;
(e) selectively operating the curing light source for a curing cycle so as to selectively transmit the curing light so as to irradiate the photocurable polymeric mixture;
(f) measuring the intensity of the internally reflected beam at a selected point in the cure cycle of the working amount of the selected mixture, and
(g) determining the refractive index of the selected photocurable polymeric mixture at the selected point in the cure cycle by comparing of the intensity of the internally reflected beam the working amount of the selected mixture at the selected point in the cure cycle with the effective refractive index curve of the mixture in a selected boundary state and then extrapolating the change in the refractive index of the mixture at the selected point in the cure cycle.
22. The method of claim 21, the method including the steps of:
providing a test amount of the selected mixture in a boundary state and disposed within the container;
operating the rotation means so as to illuminate the interface surface at each of a plurality of selected incidence angles;
determining the intensity of the internally reflected light beam of the selected mixture in the selected boundary state at each incidence angle selected;
determining, for each selected incidence angle, the effective refractive index and correlating, for each selected incidence angle, the effective refractive index and the intensity of the internally reflected light beam of the mixture in the selected boundary state; and
determining the refractive index of the selected mixture in the selected boundary state.
23. The method of claim 22, wherein, the boundary state comprises an uncured state.
24. The method of claim 22, wherein the boundary state comprises an cured state.
25. The method of claim 22, the method further including the steps:
determining the amount of curing corresponding to the refractive index of the selected photocurable polymeric mixture at the selected point in the cure cycle
adjusting a selected processing parameter at the selected point in the cure cycle.
26. The method of claim 25, wherein the adjusted processing parameter is selected from the group of processing parameters including duration of curing light irradiation, intensity of curing light irradiation, operating frequency of curing light, and period of curing light irradiation.
27. A refractometer comprising:
a prism optically coupled via an optical window to a spectroscopic cell adapted to hold a selected photocurable mixture forming an interface with the prism, the prism and cell mounted on a rotation means;
a computer adapted to control the rotation of the rotation means relative to a measurement light source which illuminates the interface at selected incidence angles so as to generate an internally reflected light beam;
a curing light source adapted to transmit a curing light through the prism and into the photocurable mixture and operable to selectively transmit the curing light during a curing cycle;
a light detector mounted on the rotation means and adapted to generate a signal to the computer proportional to the intensity of the internally reflected light beam,
wherein, when a test amount of the selected photocurable mixture in an uncured state is disposed in the cell,
the computer is adapted to rotate the rotation means and to determine the intensity of the internally reflected beam at selected incidence angles, and
the computer is further adapted to determine the refractive index of the uncured photocurable mixture;
wherein, when a working amount of the selected photocurable mixture is disposed in the cell and when the curing light source is operated so as to selectively transmit the curing light,
the computer is adapted to control the rotation means at a fixed point of rotation during the curing cycle corresponding to a selected and fixed incidence angle,
the computer is further adapted to determine the intensity of the internally reflected beam at a selected point in the cure cycle, and
the computer is yet further adapted to determine the refractive index of the polymeric mixture at the selected point in the cure cycle by means of comparison of the intensity of the internally reflected beam of the selected photocurable mixture at a selected point in the cure cycle with previously determined intensities of the internally reflected beam of the selected photocurable mixture in an uncured state at the selected incidence angles and extrapolation of the change in refractive index of the polymeric mixture at the selected point in the cure cycle.
28. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein, when a test amount of the selected photocurable mixture in a cured state is disposed in the cell,
the computer is adapted to rotate the plate and to determine the intensity of the internally reflected beam at selected incidence angles, and
the computer is further adapted to determine the refractive index of the cured photocurable mixture.
29. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the rotation means comprises a rotating plate,
wherein, the measurement light source comprises a laser adapted to emit a laser light beam,
wherein, curing light source comprises a UV lamp adapted to transmit a UV light via a fiber optic means and a collimator through the prism and into the photocurable mixture, and
wherein, the light detector comprises a photodetector.
30. A refractometer comprising:
a prism having an interface surface optically coupled to spectroscopic cell adapted to hold a photocurable polymeric mixture;
a measurement light source adapted to illuminate the interface surface so as to cause an internally reflected light beam; and
a curing light source adapted to emit a curing light beam
wherein, the prism is disposed so as to receive the curing light beam and to emit the curing light beam from the interface surface so as to irradiate the photocurable mixture with the curing light beam.
31. The apparatus of claim 30, the apparatus further comprising
a light detector disposed so as to receive the internally reflected light beam and adapted to generate a signal to the computer proportional to the intensity of the internally reflected light beam.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. A dispersion electroluminescence device comprising a back face sheet, a light-transmitting back electrode, a light-emitting layer comprising electroluminescence light-emitting particles dispersed in a dielectric material phase, a light-transmitting front electrode, and a light-transmitting front protecting film arranged in order, wherein the back face sheet shows a light-scattering reflective property and the light-emitting layer shows a light-scattering property.
2. The electroluminescence device of claim 1, wherein the electroluminescence light-emitting particle comprises a phosphor particle coated with a coat layer.
3. The electroluminescence device of claim 2, wherein the coat layer has a refractive index of 65% or higher based on a refractive index of the phosphor particle.
4. The electroluminescence device of claim 2, wherein the dielectric material phase of the light-emitting layer has a refractive index of 65% or higher based on a refractive index of the phosphor particle.
5. The electroluminescence device of claim 1, wherein the dielectric material phase comprises inorganic or organic fine particles dispersed in organic polymer.
6. A dispersion electroluminescence device comprising a back face sheet, a back electrode, a light-emitting layer comprising electroluminescence light-emitting particles dispersed in a dielectric material phase, a light-transmitting front electrode, and a light-transmitting front protecting film arranged in order, wherein the electroluminescence light-emitting particle comprises a dielectric material particle coated with a phosphor layer which is further coated with an outer coat layer.
7. The electroluminescence device of claim 6, wherein the dielectric material phase comprises an organic polymer.
8. The electroluminescence device of claim 6, wherein the dielectric material phase comprises inorganic or organic fine particles dispersed in an organic polymer.
9. The electroluminescence device of claim 7, wherein the light-emitting layer shows a light scattering property.
10. The electroluminescence device of claim 7, wherein the back electrode is a light-transmitting electrode and the back face sheet shows a light-scattering reflective property.
11. The electroluminescence device of claim 7, wherein the outer coat layer of the electroluminescence light-emitting particle has a refractive index of 65% or higher based on a refractive index of the phosphor layer of the light-emitting particle.
12. The electroluminescence device of claim 7, wherein the dielectric material phase of the light-emitting layer has a refractive index of 65% or higher based on a refractive index of the phosphor layer of the light-emitting particles.
13. The electroluminescence device of claim 7, wherein the back electrode is a light-transmitting electrode, the back face sheet is a light-scattering reflective, high refraction sheet which comprises as main component a material having a refractive index of 80% or higher based on a refractive index of the phosphor layer of the electroluminescence light-emitting particle, and a refractive index of material placed between the electroluminescence light-emitting particles and the back face sheet is adjusted, whereby 40% or more of a light emitted by the light-emitting particles toward a back side enters the back face sheet.
14. The electroluminescence device of claim 7, wherein the back electrode is a light-transmitting electrode, the back face sheet shows a light-scattering reflective property, a light-scattering, high refraction layer comprising as main component a material having a refractive index of 80% or higher based on a refractive index of the phosphor layer of the electroluminescence light-emitting particle is placed between the front electrode and the front protecting film, and a refractive index of material placed between the light-emitting particles and the light-scattering, high refraction layer is adjusted, whereby 40% or more of a light emitted by the electroluminescence light-emitting particles toward a front side enters the light-scattering, high refraction layer.
15. A dispersion electroluminescence device comprising a back face sheet, a back electrode, a light-scattering or non light-scattering, light-emitting layer which comprises electroluminescence light-emitting particles dispersed in a dielectric material phase, a light-transmitting front electrode, and a light-transmitting front protecting film arranged in order, wherein the electroluminescence light-emitting particle comprises a dielectric material particle coated with a phosphor layer.
16. The electroluminescence device of claim 15, wherein the back electrode is a light-transmitting electrode and the back face sheet shows a light-scattering reflective property.
17. The electroluminescence device of claim 15, wherein the dielectric material phase has a refractive index of 65% or higher based on a refractive index of the phosphor layer of the electroluminescence light-emitting particle.
18. The electroluminescence device of claim 15, wherein the dielectric material particle has a dielectric constant of as much as 3 times or more based on a dielectric constant of the phosphor layer of the electroluminescence light-emitting particle.
19. The electroluminescence device of claim 15, wherein the back electrode is a light-transmitting electrode, the back face sheet is a light-scattering reflective, high refraction sheet which comprises as main component a material having a refractive index of 80% or higher based on a refractive index of the phosphor layer of the electroluminescence light-emitting particle, and a refractive index of material placed between the light-emitting particles and the back face sheet is adjusted, whereby 40% or more of a light emitted by the electroluminescence light-emitting particles toward a back side enters the back face sheet.
20. The electroluminescence device of claim 15, wherein the back electrode is a light-transmitting electrode, the back face sheet shows a light-scattering reflective property, a light-scattering, high refraction layer which comprises as main component a material having a refractive index of 80% or higher based on a refractive index of the phosphor layer of the electroluminescence light-emitting particle is placed between the front electrode and the front protecting film, and a refractive index of material placed between the light-emitting particles and the light-scattering, high refraction layer is adjusted, whereby 40% or more of a light emitted by the electroluminescence light-emitting particles toward a front side enters the light-scattering, high refraction layer.
21. A dispersion electroluminescence device comprising a back face sheet, a light-transmitting back electrode, a light-emitting layer comprising electroluminescence light-emitting particles dispersed in a dielectric material phase, a light-transmitting front electrode, and a light-transmitting front protecting film arranged in order, wherein the back face sheet shows light reflection by a light-scattering effect, a light-scattering, high refraction layer which comprises as main component a material having a refractive index of 80% or higher based on a refractive index of the electroluminescence light-emitting layer is placed between the light-transmitting front electrode and the front protecting film, and a refractive index of material placed between the light-emitting layer and the light-scattering, high refraction layer is adjusted, whereby 40% or more of a light emitted by the electroluminescence light-emitting layer toward a front side enters the light-scattering, high refraction layer.
22. The electroluminescence device of claim 21, wherein an insulating material layer is placed between the electroluminescence light-emitting layer and the light-transmitting front electrode andor the light-transmitting back electrode.
23. The electroluminescence device of claim 21, wherein the light-scattering, high refraction layer comprises as main component a material having a refractive index of 95% or higher, based on the refractive index of the electroluminescence light-emitting layer, and the refractive index of material placed between the light-emitting layer and the light-scattering, high refraction layer is adjusted, whereby 70% or more of a light emitted by the light-emitting layer toward a front side enters the light-scattering, high refraction layer.
24. A dispersion electroluminescence device comprising a back face sheet, a light-transmitting back electrode, an electroluminescence light-emitting layer comprising electroluminescence light-emitting particles dispersed in a dielectric material phase, a light-transmitting front electrode, and a light-transmitting front protecting film arranged in order, wherein the back face sheet is a light-scattering reflective, high refraction sheet which comprises as main component a material having a refractive index of 80% or higher, based on a refractive index of the electroluminescence light-emitting layer, and a refractive index of material placed between the light-emitting layer and the back face sheet is adjusted, whereby 40% or more of a light emitted by the electroluminescence light-emitting layer toward a back side enters the back face sheet.
25. The electroluminescence device of claim 24, wherein an insulating material layer is placed between the electroluminescence light-emitting layer and the light-transmitting front electrode andor the light-transmitting back electrode.
26. The electroluminescence device of claim 24, wherein a light-scattering, high refraction layer which comprises as main component a material having a refractive index of 80% or higher based on a refractive index of the electroluminescence light-emitting layer is placed between the light-transmitting front electrode and the front protecting film, and a refractive index of material placed between the light-emitting layer and the light-scattering, high refraction layer is adjusted, whereby 40% or more of a light emitted by the electroluminescence light-emitting layer toward a front side enters the light-scattering, high refraction layer.
27. A dispersion electroluminescence device comprising a back face sheet, a back electrode, a back insulating material layer, an electroluminescence light-emitting layer comprising electroluminescence light-emitting particles dispersed in a dielectric material phase, a light-transmitting front electrode, a light-transmitting front protecting film arranged in order, wherein the back insulating material layer is a light-scattering, high refraction, insulating material layer which comprises as main component a material having a refractive index of 80% or higher based on a refractive index of the electroluminescence light-emitting layer, and 40% or more of a light emitted by the electroluminescence light-emitting layer toward a back side enters the back insulating layer.
28. The electroluminescence device of claim 27, wherein the back face sheet shows light reflection by a light-scattering effect and the back electrode is a light-transmitting electrode.
29. A dispersion electroluminescence device comprising a back face sheet, a light-transmitting back electrode, an electroluminescence light-emitting layer comprising electroluminescence light-emitting particles dispersed in a dielectric material phase, an front insulating material layer, a light-transmitting front electrode, and a light-transmitting front protecting film arranged in order, wherein the back face sheet shows light reflection by a light-scattering effect, the front insulating material layer is a light-scattering, high refraction, insulating material layer which comprises as main component a material having a refractive index of 80% or higher, based on a refractive index of the electroluminescence light-emitting layer, and 40% or more of a light emitted by the electroluminescence light-emitting layer toward a front side enters the front insulating material layer.
30. A dispersion electroluminescence device comprising a back face sheet, a back electrode, a back insulating material layer, an electroluminescence light-emitting layer comprising electroluminescence light-emitting particles dispersed in a dielectric material phase, a light-transmitting front electrode, and a light-transmitting front protecting film arranged in order, wherein the back insulating material layer has a thickness of 10 \u03bcm or more and is a light-scattering, high refraction, insulating material layer having a diffuse reflectance of 50% or higher.
31. The electroluminescence device of claim 30, wherein the diffuse reflectance of the back insulating material layer is 70% or higher.
32. The electroluminescence device of claim 30, wherein the thickness of the back insulating material layer is in the range of 10 to 100 \u03bcm.
33. An electroluminescence device comprising a back face sheet, a back electrode, a back insulating material layer, an electroluminescence light-emitting layer, a light-transmitting front electrode, and a light-transmitting front protecting film arranged in order, wherein the back insulating material layer has a thickness of 10 \u03bcm or more and is a light-scattering, high refraction, insulating material layer having a diffuse reflectance of 50% or higher.
34. The electroluminescence device of claim 33, wherein an insulating material layer is placed on a front side of the electroluminescence light-emitting layer.
35. The electroluminescence device of claim 33, wherein the diffuse reflectance of the back insulating material layer is 70% or higher.
36. The electroluminescence device of claim 33, wherein the thickness of the back insulating material layer is in the range of 10 to 100 \u03bcm.
37. The electroluminescence device of claim 33, wherein the electroluminescence light-emitting layer is made of a thin phosphor film.
38. An electroluminescence device comprising a back face sheet, a light-transmitting back electrode, an electroluminescence light-emitting layer, a light-transmitting front electrode, and a light-transmitting front protecting film arranged in order, wherein the back face sheet is a light-scattering reflective, high refraction sheet comprising as main component a material having a refractive index of 80% or higher based on a refractive index of the electroluminescence light-emitting layer, and a refractive index of material placed between the light-emitting layer and the back face sheet is adjusted, whereby 40% or more of a light emitted by the electroluminescence light-emitting layer toward a back side sheet enters the back face sheet.
39. The electroluminescence device of claim 38, wherein an insulating material layer is placed on a front side andor a back side of the electroluminescence light-emitting layer.
40. The electroluminescence device of claim 38, wherein a light-scattering, high refraction layer which comprises as main component a material having a refractive index of 80% or higher based on a refractive index of the electroluminescence light-emitting layer is placed between the light-transmitting front electrode and the front protecting film, and a refractive index of material placed between the light-emitting layer and the light-scattering, high refraction layer is adjusted, whereby 40% or more of a light emitted by the electroluminescence light-emitting layer toward a front side enters the light-scattering, high refraction layer.
41. An electroluminescence device comprising a back face sheet, a light-transmitting back electrode, a back insulating material layer an electroluminescence light-emitting layer, a light-transmitting front electrode, and a light-transmitting front protecting film arranged in order, wherein the back face sheet shows light-scattering reflection, the back insulating material layer is a light-scattering, high refraction, insulating material layer which comprises as main component a material having a refractive index of 80% or higher based on a refractive index of the electroluminescence light-emitting layer, and 40% or more of a light emitted by the electroluminescence light-emitting layer toward a back side enters the back insulating material layer.
42. An electroluminescence device of claim 41, wherein an insulating material layer is placed on a front side of the electroluminescence light-emitting layer.
43. An electroluminescence device comprising a back face sheet, a light-transmitting back electrode, an electroluminescence light-emitting layer, a light-transmitting front electrode, and a light-transmitting front protecting film arranged in order, wherein the back face sheet shows light reflection by a light-scattering effect, a light-scattering, high refraction layer comprising as main component a material having a refractive index of 80% or higher based on a refractive index of the electroluminescence light-emitting layer is placed between the light-transmitting front electrode and the front protecting film, and a refractive index of material placed between the light-emitting layer and the light-scattering, high refraction layer is adjusted, whereby 40% or more of a light emitted by the electroluminescence light-emitting layer toward a front side enters the light-scattering, high refraction layer.
44. The electroluminescence device of claim 43, wherein an insulating material layer is placed on a front side andor a back side of the electroluminescence light-emitting layer.
45. An electroluminescence device comprising a back face sheet, a light-transmitting back electrode, an electroluminescence light-emitting layer, a light-transmitting front electrode, and a light-transmitting front protecting film arranged in order, wherein the back face sheet shows light reflection by a light-scattering effect, a light-scattering, high refraction, insulating material layer comprising as main component a material having a refractive index of 80% or higher based on a refractive index of the electroluminescence light-emitting layer is placed on a front side of the electroluminescence light-emitting layer, whereby 40% or more of a light emitted by the electroluminescence light-emitting layer toward a front side enters the light-scattering, high refraction, insulating material layer.
46. The electroluminescence device of claim 45, wherein an insulating material layer is placed on a back side of the electroluminescence light-emitting layer.
47. An electroluminescence device comprising a back face sheet, a light-transmitting back electrode, an electroluminescence light-emitting layer, a light-transmitting front electrode, and a light-transmitting front protecting film arranged in order, wherein the back face sheet shows light reflection by a light-scattering effect, a light-scattering, high refraction, insulating material layer which comprises as main component a material having a refractive index of 80% or higher based on a refractive index of the electroluminescence light-emitting layer is placed on a back side of the electroluminescence light-emitting layer, whereby 40% or more of a light emitted by the electroluminescence light-emitting layer toward a back side enters the light-scatting, high refraction, insulating material layer.
48. The electroluminescence device of claim 47, wherein an insulating material layer is placed on a front side of the electroluminescence light-emitting layer.