Abstract: A photonic device is provided having a two or three-dimensionally periodic structure of interconnected members with alterable spacing between the members. The structure is composed of a shape memory polymer configured to be thermo-mechanically tunable to display a plurality of optical properties under a series of temperature changes and stress. A method of producing a photonic device based on a shape memory polymer is provided. A mold, having a two or three-dimensionally periodic structure of interconnected components with a characteristic spacing between the components, is infiltrated with a shape memory polymer precursor to form a composite structure. The composite structure is solidified. The mold is removed from the composite structure to form a photonic device as an inverse replica of the mold.

Abstract: Embodiments are disclosed that relate to casting of an optical part having a non-uniform thickness. For example, one disclosed embodiment provides a method for casting an optical part having a non-uniform thickness, the method including adding a fluid material into a first cavity and into a second cavity separated from the first cavity by a separator. The first and second cavities may each have a non-uniform thickness and the separator may have a configuration complementary to shapes of the first and second cavities such that the first cavity, the second cavity, and the separator form a combined structure having a uniform thickness during a casting process. The method further comprises solidifying the fluid material in the first and second cavities to form the first and second optical parts.

Abstract: An optical film of high planarity that even in the use of an optical film material containing a non-resinous additive in an amount of 5 mass % or more, would exhibit inexpensive satisfactory roll cleaning effects, and that would find application in, especially, various functional films such as a retardation film and a protective film for polarization plate for use in a liquid crystal display apparatus, etc.; and a process for producing the optical film. There is disclosed a process for producing an optical film according to a melting casting film forming method, including extruding a melt of resin blend containing a resin and 5 mass % or more of non-resinous additive through a casting die into a film form, wherein a first roller (5) for cooling has a temperature of the melting point of the additive to the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the resin blend.

Abstract: Provided is a method for producing a photochromic optical article having a photochromic coating layer exhibiting photochromism formed on an optical base such as a plastic lens which has good optical characteristics and photochromic characteristics, and also has good adhesion between the base and the photochromic layer. The method enables to easily produce such a photochromic optical article by improving wettability of a photochromic coating agent for a primer. In this method, the photochromic optical article is produced by forming a primer layer on the optical base surface by coating a primer comprising an emulsion which has a colloidally dispersed urethane resin in a dispersion medium, and then forming on the primer layer.

Abstract: A system/method allowing hydrophilicity alteration of a polymeric material (PM) is disclosed. The PM hydrophilicity alteration changes the PM characteristics by decreasing the PM refractive index, increasing the PM electrical conductivity, and increasing the PM weight. The system/method incorporates a laser radiation source that generates tightly focused laser pulses within a three-dimensional portion of the PM to affect these changes in PM properties. The system/method may be applied to the formation of customized intraocular lenses comprising material (PLM) wherein the lens created using the system/method is surgically positioned within the eye of the patient. The implanted lens refractive index may then be optionally altered in situ with laser pulses to change the optical properties of the implanted lens and thus achieve optimal corrected patient vision. This system/method permits numerous in situ modifications of an implanted lens as the patient's vision changes with age.

Abstract: A production method of an optical waveguide includes: preparing a laminated body that includes a first clad layer and at least a core layer laminated on the first clad layer; forming a light propagating optical waveguide core by cutting the core layer by use of a dicing saw from a side where the core layer is laminated while intruding an edge of a blade portion of the dicing saw into the first clad layer so as to partially cut the first clad layer; and embedding at least a cut portion of the laminated body with a second clad layer.

Abstract: (Problem) In conventional method for producing artificial graphite, in order to obtain a product having excellent crystallinity, it was necessary to mold a filler and a binder and then repeat impregnation, carbonization and graphitization, and since carbonization and graphitization proceeded by a solid phase reaction, a period of time of as long as 2 to 3 months was required for the production and cost was high and further, a large size structure in the shape of column and cylinder could not be produced. In addition, nanocarbon materials such as carbon nanotube, carbon nanofiber and carbon nanohorn could not be produced.

Abstract: A metal mold including: a first inner metal mold which forms a first lens surface and a first flat surface portion of a lens; a first outer metal mold which forms a second flat surface portion; a second inner metal mold which forms a second lens surface and a third flat surface portion; and a second outer metal mold which forms a fourth flat surface portion, and wherein a first protruded portion which forms a first concaved portion on the lens is formed all around an outer periphery of the first inner metal mold, the first concaved portion serving as clearance for a burr, and a second protruded portion which forms a second concaved portion on the lens is formed all around an outer periphery of the second inner metal mold, the second concaved portion serving as clearance for a burr.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a lens having a refractive index distribution includes: a step of contacting a monomer with a structural member of a polymer, the monomer and a material obtained by polymerization of the monomer showing refractive indices which are different from the refractive index of the polymer; a step of diffusing the contacted monomer in the structural member; and a step of polymerizing the monomer. In the step of diffusing the contacted monomer in the structural member, the method further includes the steps of: irradiating light on at least 50% of one of the surfaces of the structural member which is parallel to the diffusion direction of the monomer, and measuring the intensity of the light passing through the structural member in a predetermined region, and when the measured intensity of the light reaches a predetermined value, the step of polymerizing the monomer is started.

Abstract: The present technology provides an illustrative method for preparing fibers with desirable optical characteristics. The method includes providing a fiber that comprises a core layer and a cladding layer located around the core layer. The method further includes applying a nanostructure template to the cladding layer to form one or more photonic nanostructures having nanostructure scales and compressing the core layer to cause the core layer to bulge and form air gaps between the core layer and the one or more photonic nanostructures.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a light guide plate, such as a sign or guide display board, that guides light incoming from a side surface of a substrate thereof and guides the light outgoing from a major surface thereof. The method includes arranging fabrication dots in a matrix shape at a rectangular distal surface of a ultrasonic fabrication horn, forming, on a major surface of the light guide plate substrate, reflection dots corresponding to the fabrication dots on the distal surface upon pressing the distal surface of the ultrasonic fabrication horn to the major surface of the light guide plate substrate, and forming the reflection dots in a prescribed range on the major surface of the light guide plate substrate by repeating formation of the reflection dot upon correlative movement of the ultrasonic fabrication horn within the major surface with respect to the light guide plate substrate.

Abstract: A mold structure, a patterning method thereof and a method of fabricating an LCD device using the same are disclosed, which can realize a conformal contact by applying a voltage between a mold structure and a material layer being opposite to each other in an In-Plane Printing process, so as to prevent defective patterns, wherein the mold structure comprises a mold whose surface is provided with patterns; a backplane for supporting the mold; and a conductive film formed between the backplane and the mold.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for making colored silicone hydrogel contact lenses. The method of the invention comprises the steps of: (a) providing a contact lens constructed of a silicone hydrogel; (b) applying a color coat to at least a portion of a surface of the lens with an ink, wherein the ink comprises at least one colorant, a silicone-containing binder polymer, one or more vinylic monomers, and optionally a diluent, wherein the silicone-containing binder polymer is a copolymerization product of a polymerizable mixture including (i) at least one hydrophilic vinylic monomer; (ii) at least one functionalizing vinylic monomer; (iii) at least one silicone-containing vinylic monomer or macromer; (c) curing the ink in the presence of an adhesion promoter, thereby causing the color coat to adhere to the lens.

Abstract: A lens for placement in a human eye, such as intraocular lens, has at least some of its optical properties formed with a laser. The laser forms modified loci in the lens when the modified loci have a different refractive index than the refractive index of the material before modification. Different patterns of modified loci can provide selected dioptic power, toric adjustment, and/or aspheric adjustment provided. Preferably both the anterior and posterior surfaces of the lens are planar for ease of placement in the human eye.

Abstract: A method for casting a styrenic fluoropolymer film on a substrate includes preparing a polymer solution by dissolving the fluoropolymer in a solvent or solvent blend whose Hansen solubility parameters (HSPs. MPa1/2) satisfy the following relations: |SPb?SPp|<5, |SPb?SPs|<4, |SPb(H)?SPp(H)|<7, and 2<|SPb(H)?SPs(H)|<10 wherein SPb, SPp, SPs, are the total Hansen solubility parameters of solvent/solvent blend, fluoropolymer, and substrate, respectively; SPb(H), SPp(H), and, SPs(H) are the hydrogen-bond Hansen solubility parameters of solvent/solvent blend, fluoropolymer, and substrate, respectively; wherein the fluoropolymer comprises a moiety of: wherein R1, R2, and R3 are each independently hydrogen atoms, alkyl groups, substituted alkyl groups, or halogens, wherein at least one of R1, R2, and R3 is a fluorine atom, and wherein R is each independently a substituent on the styrenic ring, n is an integer from 0 to 5 representing the number of the substituents on the styrenic ring.

Abstract: Disclosed in this specification is a process for manufacturing a thermochromic contact lens. The process includes (1) selecting a photoinitiator that absorbs at a first wavelength and at least one thermochromic dye that displays substantial absorption at the first wavelength when the dye is at a first temperature and exhibits at least an 80% reduction in absorbance at the first wavelength at a second temperature, (2) maintaining the reaction mixture at the second temperature and (3) providing cure light that includes the first wavelength.

Abstract: Devices and components that can interact with or modify propagation of electromagnetic waves are provided. The design, fabrication and structures of the devices exploit the properties of reactive composite materials (RCM) and reaction products thereof.

Abstract: A diffuser-integrated prism sheet is provided, in which diffuser layers are provided on the upper and lower surfaces of the prism sheet and prism-shaped protrusions are formed in the prism sheet. The prism sheet for backlight units includes a lower diffuser layer having a light diffusion structure, a lower layer formed on the lower diffuser layer, a first intermediate layer formed on the lower layer and having prism-shaped protrusions formed parallel to each other, a second intermediate layer formed on the first intermediate layer, an upper layer formed on the second intermediate layer, and an upper diffuser layer formed on the upper layer and having a light diffusion structure, wherein an air layer is formed between the lower surface of the second intermediate layer and the valleys of the prism-shaped protrusions of the first intermediate layer. Also, a method of manufacturing the diffuser-integrated prism sheet is provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing nanoimprint lithography. When an electric field is applied between the mold and the substrate, various forces can be generated among molds, substrates, and resists. The electrostatic force between the mold and the substrate can serve as an imprinting pressure to press the structured mold into the conformable resist. In addition, the electric field induces additional wetting forces (electrowetting or dielectrophoresis) in a liquid resist, which can assist the flow and filling of the liquid resist into fine structures.

Abstract: A die having a plurality of cavities and a temperature sensor for acquiring a temperature value in which the number of the cavities is larger than that of electrothermal conversion elements. When viewed from a direction perpendicular to the surface of a parting line, all cavities and a temperature sensor are arranged in a region occupied by the electrothermal conversion elements. Interval between the outlines of the cavities is smaller than the minimum interval between the outline of the cavity and the electrothermal conversion element, and the shortest distance between the electrothermal conversion element and the temperature measuring portion of a temperature measuring element is shorter than the minimum interval between the outline of the cavity and the electrothermal conversion element.