Optical materials, optical components, and methods
View Patent ↗An optical component including an optical material comprising quantum confined semiconductor nanoparticles, wherein at least a portion of the nanoparticles are in a charge neutral state. Further disclosed is an optical component including an optical material comprising quantum confined semiconductor nanoparticles, wherein at least a portion of the nanoparticles are in a charge neutral state, and wherein the optical material is at least partially encapsulated. Methods, optical materials, and devices are also disclosed.
1. An optical component including a photoluminescent optical material comprising quantum confined semiconductor nanoparticles, wherein at least a portion of the nanoparticles are in a charge neutral state, and wherein the optical material is at least partially encapsulated, wherein the charge neutral state is obtained by irradiating the at least partially encapsulated optical material with a light flux for a period of time sufficient to neutralize charge on at least a portion of the nanoparticles.
2. An optical component in accordance with claim 1 wherein substantially all of nanoparticles are in a charge neutral state.
3. An optical component in accordance with claim 1 wherein the optical material further comprises a host material in which the nanoparticles are dispersed.
4. An optical component in accordance with claim 1 wherein the optical component further includes a substrate having a surface on which the optical material is disposed.
5. An optical component in accordance with claim 1 wherein the optical material is at least partially encapsulated between opposing substrates.
6. An optical component in accordance with claim 1 wherein the optical material is fully encapsulated.
7. An optical component in accordance with claim 6 wherein the optical material is encapsulated between opposing substrates that are sealed together by an edge or perimeter seal, wherein each of the substrates and seal comprises a material that is substantially oxygen impervious.
8. An optical component in accordance with claim 6 wherein the optical material is encapsulated between opposing substrates are sealed together by an edge or perimeter seal, wherein each of the substrates and seal comprises a material that is substantially water impervious.
9. An optical component in accordance with claim 6 wherein the optical material is encapsulated between opposing substrates are sealed together by an edge or perimeter seal, wherein each of the substrates and seal comprises a material that is substantially oxygen and water impervious.
10. An optical component in accordance with claim 6 wherein the optical material is disposed on a substrate and the optical material is covered by a coating comprising a barrier material.
11. An optical component in accordance with claim 10 wherein the barrier material comprises a material that is substantially water impervious.
12. An optical component in accordance with claim 10 wherein the barrier material comprises a material that is substantially oxygen impervious.
13. An optical component in accordance with claim 2 wherein the host material comprises a polymer.
14. An optical component in accordance with claim 1 wherein the optical material further comprises light scatterers.
15. An optical component in accordance with claim 1 wherein the optical material has a photoluminescent efficiency at least 70%.