Variable transmittance optical filter with substantially co-planar electrode system

Abstract

A variable transmittance optical filter comprising: a first layer comprising a first substantially transparent substrate with a substantially co-planar (SC) electrode system disposed thereon, the SC electrode system made of transparent electrically conductive material and comprising at least one pair of electrically separate electrodes arranged in a substantially co-planar manner on the first substantially transparent substrate, each pair of electrically separate electrodes comprising a first electrode and a second electrode, a second layer proximate to the first layer and comprising a transition material that darkens in response to a non-electrical stimulus and lightens in response to application of an electric voltage; and an electrical connection system for electrically connecting the SC electrode system to a source of electric voltage.

1 - 54 . (canceled) 
     
     
         55 . A variable transmittance optical filter comprising:
 a) a first layer comprising a first substantially transparent substrate with a substantially co-planar (SC) electrode system disposed thereon, the SC electrode system made of transparent electrically conductive material and comprising at least one pair of electrically separate electrodes arranged in a substantially co-planar manner on the first substantially transparent substrate, each pair of electrically separate electrodes comprising a first electrode and a second electrode,   b) a second layer proximate to the first layer and comprising a transition material comprising a compound that is both photochromic and electrochromic, and that darkens in response to a non-electrical stimulus and lightens in response to application of an electric voltage; and   c) an electrical connection system for electrically connecting the SC electrode system to a source of electric voltage.   
     
     
         56 . The variable transmittance optical filter of  claim 55 , wherein the optical filter further comprises a second substantially transparent substrate. 
     
     
         57 . The variable transmittance optical filter of  claim 55 , wherein the first electrode and the second electrode of each pair comprise finger-like structures and the finger-like structures of the first electrode are interdigitated with the finger-like structures of the second electrode. 
     
     
         58 . The variable transmittance optical filter of  claim 57 , wherein the fingerlike structures the first electrode and the finger like structures of the second electrode are substantially the same length. 
     
     
         59 . The variable transmittance optical filter of  claim 57 , wherein the fingerlike structures of the first electrode and the second electrode form a linear or curvilinear unit. 
     
     
         60 . The variable transmittance optical filter of  claim 57 , wherein each of the interdigitated finger-like structures of the first and second electrodes have an interdigit spacing of from about 10 μm to about 1 mm or any amount or range therebetween. 
     
     
         61 . The variable transmittance optical filter of  claim 55 , wherein the surface area of the first electrode is substantially equal to, or greater than, the surface area of the second electrode. 
     
     
         62 . The variable transmittance optical filter of  claim 57 , wherein the width of the fingerlike structures of the first electrode and the finger like structures of the second electrode have a ratio of from about 2:1 to about 100:1 or any amount therebetween. 
     
     
         63 . The variable transmittance optical filter of  claim 57 , wherein the space between the fingerlike structures of the first electrode and second electrode is less than the width of the second electrode. 
     
     
         64 . The variable transmittance optical filter of  claim 55 , wherein the first electrode is a cathode and the second electrode is an anode. 
     
     
         65 . The variable transmittance optical filter of  claim 55 , wherein the first electrode is an anode and the second electrode is a cathode. 
     
     
         66 . The variable transmittance optical filter of  claim 55 , wherein the compound that is both photochromic and electrochromic is an anodic species. 
     
     
         67 . The variable transmittance optical filter of  claim 55 , wherein the compound that is both photochromic and electrochromicis a diarylethene. 
     
     
         68 . The variable transmittance optical filter of  claim 55 , wherein the non-electrical stimulus is light, wherein the light comprises wavelengths of about 350 to about 420 nm, or of about 365 to about 420 nm, or of about 374 to about 420 nm, or of about 375 to about 420 nm, or of about 380 to about 420 nm, or of about 385 nm to about 420 nm, or any amount or range therebetween. 
     
     
         69 . The variable transmittance optical filter of  claim 55 , comprising two or more pairs of electrically separate electrodes. 
     
     
         70 . The variable transmittance optical filter of  claim 55 , wherein the variable transmittance optical filter is a film. 
     
     
         71 . An architectural window, automotive window or ophthalmic device comprising the variable transmittance optical filter of  claim 55 . 
     
     
         72 . A method of preparing a variable transmittance optical filter comprising the steps of:
 a) providing a first layer comprising a first substantially transparent substrate, and;
 i. etching into a layer of substantially transparent electrically conductive material disposed thereon a substantially co-planar (SC) electrode system, the SC electrode system comprising at least one pair of electrically separate electrodes arranged in a substantially co-planar manner, each pair of electrically separate electrodes comprising a first electrode and a second electrode; or 
 ii. printing onto the first substrate a substantially co-planar (SC) electrode system using a conductive ink, the SC electrode system comprising at least one pair of electrically separate electrodes arranged in a substantially co-planar manner, each pair of electrically separate electrodes comprising a first electrode and a second electrode; 
   b) disposing a second layer proximate to the SC electrode system, the second layer comprising a transition material comprising a compound that is both photochromic and electrochromic that is capable of dynamically varying the degree of visible light transmittance on application of an electric voltage; and   c) providing an electrical connection system electrically connecting the SC electrode system to a source of electric voltage.   
     
     
         73 . A method of transitioning a transition material comprising a compound that is both photochromic and electrochromic from a dark state to a faded state comprising the steps of:
 a) applying a positive voltage to a first electrode and a negative voltage to a second electrode;   b) reversing the polarity of the voltage, thereby applying a negative voltage to the first electrode and a positive voltage to the second electrode.   
     
     
         74 . The method of  claim 73 , wherein the voltage applied to the first and second electrodes is from about 0.5 to about 3.0 V, or from about 1.2V to about 2.5 V, or from about 1.8V to about 2.2 V, or any amount or range therebetween.