US4915982A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method of making thin film photoluminescent articles
Assignee: GIMMEL GERALD K PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF ESTATE OF JOSEPH LINDMAYER
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Filing: 1988-04-21
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Granted: 1990-04-10
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Expires: 2008-04-21
Abstract
Abstract An article, having particular use as an optical memory medium, includes a thin electron trapping photoluminescent film upon a substrate. In one preferred embodiment, a selected material is prepared in bulk, then applied in a relatively thin film to a substrate, and then heated to a sufficient temperature for a sufficient period of time such that the selected material acquires electron trapping characteristics and becomes photoluminescent. Some preferred methods of depositing the material are electron-beam deposition and sputtering. Some preferred methods of heating the material include photo crystallization and laser crystallization.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph Lindmayer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 15:31
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11C; G11C13/00; G11C13/04; C; C09; C09K; C09K11/00; C09K11/08; C09K11/77; C09K11/7766; C09K11/7767; C09K11/7768; C09K11/7783; C09K11/7784; C09K11/7786; C09K11/88; C09K11/881; C09K11/886; G01; G01T; G01T1/00; G01T1/02; G01T1/10; G01T1/11; G01T1/16; G01T1/20; G01T1/2012; G11B; G11B7/00; G11B7/004; G11B7/0045; G11B7/00453; G11B7/24; G11B7/26; G11C7/00; G11C7/005
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
102 words
A process for preparing a photoluminescent article, comprising the steps of: mixing, a base material selected from the group of alkaline earth metal sulfides and mixtures thereof, a first dopant for establishing a election trapping level, and a second dopant for establishing an communication ban for luminescence; depositing the mixture in a thickness on the order of microns such a non-interactive substrate using a vapor deposition technique; and heating the mixture and substrate to a temperature at which crystallization of said mixture occurs without degrading the integrity of the substrate, to form a continuous thin film electron trapping storage type photoluminescent article.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
102 words
A process for preparing a photoluminescent article, comprising the steps of: mixing, a base material selected from the group of alkaline earth metal sulfides and mixtures thereof, a first dopant for establishing a election trapping level, and a second dopant for establishing an communication ban for luminescence; depositing the mixture in a thickness on the order of microns such a non-interactive substrate using a vapor deposition technique; and heating the mixture and substrate to a temperature at which crystallization of said mixture occurs without degrading the integrity of the substrate, to form a continuous thin film electron trapping storage type photoluminescent article.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
A process as recited in claim 1, further comprising the step of providing an interlayer upon said substrate before said step of depositing said selected material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
A process as recited in claim 1, further comprising the step of providing an overcoat upon said material after said step of crystallization.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
A process as recited in claim 1, wherein said temperature is in the range of about 400 to about 2000 degrees Centigrade.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
A process as recited in claim 1, wherein said time is from about 15 seconds to about 5 minutes.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
A process as recited in claim 1, wherein the thickness of said photoluminescent material upon said substrate is about 1 micron.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
A process as recited in claim 1 wherein the thickness of said photoluminescent material upon said substrate is about 1 micron to about 4 microns.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
44 words
A process as recited in claim 1, wherein said first dopant consists of about 50 to about 600 parts per million samarium; and said second dopant is a material selected from the group consisting of europium oxide, europium fluoride, europium sulfide, and cerium oxide.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
A process as recited in claim 8, wherein said second dopant consists of about 300 to about 800 parts per million of a material selected from the group consisting of europium oxide, europium fluoride, and europium sulfide.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
A process as recited in claim 8, wherein said second dopant consists of about 300 to about 1500 parts per million cerium oxide.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
A process for preparing a photoluminescent article as recited in claim 1, wherein said step of mixing further comprises the mixing of lithium fluoride with the base material and the first and second dopants.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-04-09 | 1993-10-09 | 1994-04-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-04-09 | 1997-10-09 | 1998-04-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-04-09 | 2001-10-09 | 2002-04-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |