Abstract: This disclosure provides methods, devices and systems for using a stamp to enhance selectivity between surface layers of a substrate, and to facilitate functionalizing selected layers. An array of flat stamps may be used to concurrently stamp multiple regions of a substrate to transfer one or more substances to the topmost layer or layers of the substrate. If desired, the affected regions of the substrate may be isolated from each other through the use of a reactor plate that, when clamped to the substrate's surface, forms reaction wells in the area of stamping. The stamp area can, if desired, be configured for stamping the substrate after the reactor plate has been fitted, with the individual stamps sized and arranged in a manner that permits stamping within each reaction well.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for forming porous low refractive index coatings on substrates are provided. The method comprises coating a substrate with a sol-formulation comprising silica based nanoparticles and an alkyltrialkoxysilane based binder. Use of the alkyltrialkoxysilane based binder results in a porous low refractive index coating having bimodal pore distribution including mesopores formed from particle packing and micropores formed from the burning off of organics including the alkyl chain covalently bonded to the silicon. The mass ratio of binder to particles may vary from 0.1 to 20. Porous coatings formed according to the embodiments described herein demonstrate good optical properties (e.g. a low refractive index) while maintaining good mechanical durability due to the presence of a high amount of binder and a close pore structure.

Abstract: Durable porous low refractive index coatings, methods and compositions for forming the porous low refractive index coatings are provided. The method comprises coating a substrate with a sol formulation comprising a silane-based binder having one or more reactive groups and silica based nanoparticles and annealing the coated substrate. The silane-based binder comprises from about 30 wt. % to about 70 wt. % ash contribution in the total ash content of the sol formulation. Porous coatings formed according to the embodiments described herein demonstrate good optical properties (e.g., a low refractive index) while maintaining good mechanical durability due to the presence of a high amount of binder and a closed pore structure.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for forming durable porous low refractive index coatings on substrates are provided. In one embodiment, a method of forming a porous coating on a substrate is provided. The method comprises coating a substrate with a sol-formulation comprising a silane-based binder, silica-based nanoparticles, and an inter-particle interaction modifier for regulating interactions between the silica-based nanoparticles and annealing the coated substrate. Porous coatings formed according to the embodiments described herein demonstrate good optical properties (e.g., a low refractive index) while maintaining good mechanical durability due to the presence of the inter-particle interaction modifier. The inter-particle interaction modifier increases the strength of the particle network countering capillary forces produced during drying to maintain the porosity structure.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally relate to methods and compositions for forming conformal coatings on textured substrates. More specifically, embodiments of the invention generally relate to sol-gel processes and sol-gel compositions for forming low refractive index conformal coatings on textured transparent substrates. In one embodiment a method of forming a conformal coating on a textured glass substrate is provided. The method comprises coating the textured glass substrate with a sol-gel composition comprising a solidifier. It is believed that use of the solidifier expedites the sol-gel transition point of the sol-gel composition leading to more conformal deposition of coatings on textured substrates.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate generally to methods and compositions for forming porous low refractive index coatings on substrates. In one embodiment, a method of forming a porous coating on a substrate is provided. The method comprises coating a substrate with a sol-gel composition comprising at least one self assembling molecular porogen and annealing the coated substrate to remove the at least one self assembling molecular porogen to form the porous coating. Use of the self assembling molecular porogens leads to the formation of stable pores with larger volume and an increased reduction in the refractive index of the coating. Further, the size and interconnectivity of the pores may be controlled via selection of the self assembling molecular porogens structure, the total porogen fraction, polarity of the molecule and solvent, and other physiochemical properties of the gel phase.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate generally to methods and compositions for forming porous low refractive index coatings on substrates. In one embodiment, a method for forming a porous coating on a substrate is provided. The method comprises coating a substrate with a sol-gel composition, comprising at least one porosity forming agent, wherein the porosity forming agent is selected from at least one of dendrimers and organic nanocrystals and removing the at least one porosity forming agent to form the porous coating. Use of at least one of the dendrimers and organic nanocrystals leads to the formation of stable pores with larger volume fraction in the film. Further, the size and interconnectivity of the pores may be controlled via selection of the organic nanocrystal or dendrimer structure, the total organic nanocrystal or dendrimer molecule fraction, polarity of the organic nanocrystal or dendrimer molecule and solvent, and other physiochemical properties of the gel phase.

Abstract: Embodiments of the current invention describe a high performance combinatorial method and apparatus for the combinatorial development of coatings by a dip-coating process. The dip-coating process may be used for multiple applications, including forming coatings from varied sol-gel formulations, coating substrates uniformly with particles to combinatorially test particle removal formulations, and the dipping of substrates into texturing formulations to combinatorially develop the texturing formulations.

Abstract: Embodiments of the current invention describe cleaning solutions to clean the surface of a photomask, methods of cleaning the photomask using at least one of the cleaning solutions, and combinatorial methods of formulating the cleaning solutions. The cleaning solutions are formulated to preserve the optical properties of the photomask, and in particular, of a phase-shifting photomask.

Abstract: Embodiments of the current invention describe a high performance combinatorial method and apparatus for the combinatorial development of coatings by a dip-coating process. The dip-coating process may be used for multiple applications, including forming coatings from varied sol-gel formulations, coating substrates uniformly with particles to combinatorially test particle removal formulations, and the dipping of substrates into texturing formulations to combinatorially develop the texturing formulations.

Abstract: This disclosure provides methods, devices and systems for using a stamp to enhance selectivity between surface layers of a substrate, and to facilitate functionalizing selected layers. An array of flat stamps may be used to concurrently stamp multiple regions of a substrate to transfer one or more substances to the topmost layer or layers of the substrate. If desired, the affected regions of the substrate may be isolated from each other through the use of a reactor plate that, when clamped to the substrate's surface, forms reaction wells in the area of stamping. The stamp area can, if desired, be configured for stamping the substrate after the reactor plate has been fitted, with the individual stamps sized and arranged in a manner that permits stamping within each reaction well.