Dichroic Filters on Flexible Polymer Film Substrates

Abstract

Now, according to the present invention, dichroic filters are provided that incorporate a flexible polymer film substrate, such as poly(ethylene naphthalate), onto which a dielectric and/or reflective metal stack has been formed. Filters of the present invention are durable, flexible, and lightweight, and can be advantageously used in many specialty lighting applications.

1 . A dichroic filter comprising: 
 a flexible polymer film substrate; and,    a stack formed on said polymer film substrate, wherein said stack comprises at least 5 alternating layers of a first dielectric or reflective metal and a second dielectric or reflective metal and wherein said dichroic filter transmits only a subset of wavelengths in the visible spectrum of wavelengths.    
     
     
         2 . The filter of  claim 1 , wherein said filter further comprises a polymer film adhered to said stack opposite said polymer film substrate.  
     
     
         3 . The filter of  claim 2 , wherein said polymer film is adhered to said stack with a silicone adhesive.  
     
     
         4 . The filter of  claim 1 , wherein said substrate comprises poly(ethylene naphthalate).  
     
     
         5 . The filter of  claim 1 , wherein said stack comprises at least 7 alternating layers of said first dielectric or reflective metal and said second dielectric or reflective metal.  
     
     
         6 . The filter of  claim 1 , wherein said stack comprises at least 11 alternating layers of said first dielectric or reflective metal and said second dielectric or reflective metal.  
     
     
         7 . The filter of  claim 1 , wherein said first dielectric or reflective metal comprises a material having an index of refraction of greater than 2 and said second dielectric comprises a material having an index of refraction of less than 1.8.  
     
     
         8 . The filter of  claim 1 , wherein said first dielectric or reflective metal comprises titanium dioxide and said second dielectric or reflective metal comprises silicon dioxide.  
     
     
         9 . The filter of  claim 1 , wherein said layers are from 10 nanometers to 120 nanometers in thickness.  
     
     
         10 . The filter of  claim 1 , further comprising a layer of pressure sensitive adhesive disposed on said polymer film opposite said stack.  
     
     
         11 . The filter of  claim 10 , wherein said adhesive comprises silicone.  
     
     
         12 . The filter of  claim 10 , wherein said adhesive is removable.  
     
     
         13 . The filter of  claim 10 , further comprising a release liner disposed in contact with said pressure sensitive adhesive.  
     
     
         14 . A dichroic filter comprising: 
 a flexible polymer film substrate;    a stack formed on said polymer film substrate, wherein said stack comprises at least 5 alternating layers of a first dielectric or reflective metal and a second dielectric or reflective metal and wherein said dichroic filter transmits only a subset of wavelengths in the visible spectrum of wavelengths; and,    a polymer film adhered to said stack opposite said polymer film substrate;    wherein said first dielectric or reflective metal comprises a material having an index of refraction of greater than 2 and said second dielectric comprises a material having an index of refraction of less than 1.8 and wherein said layers are from 10 nanometers to 120 nanometers in thickness.