Transformation of material into an optically modulating state via laser radiation

Abstract

A method for the transformation of material (e.g. plastic material) into an optically modulating state via laser radiation is described. The optically modulating state may be a state in which light is emitted at a different wavelength than it is absorbed. The plastic material to may be a thermoplastic or elastomeric material, or an organic polymer selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polycarbonate and polycycloolefin. The laser radiation may comprise the application of an amount of energy of about 0.1 nJoule/μm2 to about 100 μJoule/μm2 and/or may comprise a radiation of a wavelength of about 355 nm to about 1064 nm. The optically modulating state of the plastic material may absorb light in a wavelength spectrum of about 380 nm to about 540 nm and/or a wavelength spectrum of about 635 nm to about 655 nm. The optically modulating state of the plastic material may emit light in a wavelength spectrum of about 550 nm to about 800 nm. The transformation of the plastic material may comprise the generation of optically modulating elements on the surface of said plastic material, selected from the group comprising geometrical forms, geometrical pattern, spots, dots, lines, circles, squares, characters, symbols, drawings, barcode and datamatrixcode. The material may be used as component for the manufacture of a device, microfluidic device, system, cartridge or instrument. Based on the employment of the material the usability of a device or system and/or of any procedure, function or method carried out with it or in it may be determined and/or controlled.

1 . Method for the transformation of plastic material into an optically modulating state, comprising the application of laser radiation to the plastic material. 
     
     
         2 .- 86 . (canceled) 
     
     
         87 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said plastic material is a thermoplastic material or an elastomeric material. 
     
     
         88 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said plastic material is an organic polymer selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polycarbonate and polycycloolefin. 
     
     
         89 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said laser radiation comprises the application of an amount of energy of about 0.1 nJoule/μm 2  to about 100 μJoule/μm 2 . 
     
     
         90 . The method of  claim 89 , wherein said laser radiation is a radiation of a wavelength of about 355 nm to about 1064 nm. 
     
     
         91 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said optically modulating state absorbs light in a wavelength spectrum of about 380 nm to about 540 nm and/or a wavelength spectrum of about 635 nm to about 655 nm. 
     
     
         92 . The method of  claim 91 , wherein said optically modulating state emits upon excitation light in a wavelength spectrum of about 550 nm to about 800 ran. 
     
     
         93 . The method of  92 , wherein said excitable state emits upon excitation light at peak wavelengths of 593 nm and/or 685 nm. 
     
     
         94 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said transformation comprises the generation of optically modulating elements on the surface of said plastic material, selected from the group comprising geometrical forms, geometrical pattern, spots, dots, lines, circles, squares, characters, symbols, drawings, barcode and datamatrix code, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         95 . The method of  claim 94 , wherein said optically modulating elements have a diameter of at least 5 μm. 
     
     
         96 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said plastic material is transparent. 
     
     
         97 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the transformed plastic material is water-resistant and/or indissoluble. 
     
     
         98 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said plastic material comprises optically modulating reference marks for the alignment of arrays or array components.