Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
197 words
A method for forming an optical pattern comprising: (a) impregnating at least the surface layer of pores of a porous glass material with a photocurable composition, said photocurable composition comprising a compound selected from the group consisting of acrylic esters, methacrylic esters, acrylic ester resins, epoxy resins and mixtures thereof; (b) subjecting said impregnated porous glass material to a patterning exposure to thereby cure said photocurable composition in the exposed portion of the glass material and leave uncured said photocurable composition in the unexposed portion of the glass material; (c) removing said uncured photocurable composition in the unexposed portion from the glass material while leaving said cured photocurable composition in the exposed portion; (d) impregnating said unexposed portion of the glass material with a metallic compound capable of changing the optical characteristic of the glass material, said metallic compound containing a metal atom selected from the group consisting of Fe, Cu, Co, Cr and Mn; and (e) heating said impregnated porous glass material for a period of time and at a temperature sufficient to fix said substance in the pores of said porous glass material and to remove said cured photocurable composition from the porous glass material.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
197 words
A method for forming an optical pattern comprising: (a) impregnating at least the surface layer of pores of a porous glass material with a photocurable composition, said photocurable composition comprising a compound selected from the group consisting of acrylic esters, methacrylic esters, acrylic ester resins, epoxy resins and mixtures thereof; (b) subjecting said impregnated porous glass material to a patterning exposure to thereby cure said photocurable composition in the exposed portion of the glass material and leave uncured said photocurable composition in the unexposed portion of the glass material; (c) removing said uncured photocurable composition in the unexposed portion from the glass material while leaving said cured photocurable composition in the exposed portion; (d) impregnating said unexposed portion of the glass material with a metallic compound capable of changing the optical characteristic of the glass material, said metallic compound containing a metal atom selected from the group consisting of Fe, Cu, Co, Cr and Mn; and (e) heating said impregnated porous glass material for a period of time and at a temperature sufficient to fix said substance in the pores of said porous glass material and to remove said cured photocurable composition from the porous glass material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said acrylic ester is a monofunctional monomer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method according to claim 2, wherein said monofunctional monomer is selected from the group consisting of n-alkyl acrylates, cyclohexyl acrylate, dicyclopentyl acrylate, isobornyl acrylate, phenyl acrylate, and halogen-substituted phenyl acrylates.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said methacrylic ester is a monofunctional monomer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method according to claim 4, wherein said monofunctional monomer is selected from the group consisting of n-alkyl methacrylates, cyclohexyl methacrylate, dicyclopentyl methacrylate, isobornyl methacrylate, phenyl methacrylate, and halogen-substituted phenyl methacrylates.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said acrylic ester is a polyfunctional cross-linkable monomer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method according to claim 6, wherein said polyfunctional cross-linkable monomer is selected from the group consisting of diethylene glycol diacrylate, 1,6-hexanediol diacrylate, neopentyl glycol diacrylate, 2,2-bis-(4-acryloxyethoxyphenyl)propane and halogen-substituted products thereof, and trimethylol propane triacrylate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said methacrylic ester is a polyfunctional cross-linkable monomer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 8, wherein said polyfunctional cross-linkable monomer is selected from the group consisting of diethylene glycol dimethacrylate, and trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said acrylic ester resin is epoxy acrylate or urethane acrylate.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said optical characteristic is an optical density.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said photocurable composition further comprises a photopolymerization initiator.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said metallic compound is a carbonyl compound or a nitrate compound.