Multi-level layer

Abstract

Various methods and apparatus relating to a multi-level layer are disclosed.

1 . An apparatus comprising:
 a first electrode;   a second electrode;   a first polymeric layer between the first electrode and the second electrode, the first layer having portions, each portion including a specific amount of a cross-linking agent, wherein each portion has a distinct thickness for the specific amount of cross-linking agent.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein each set includes at least three portions. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first layer includes a photo-polymer. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first layer includes bisphenol A epoxy resin. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first layer includes at least 20% by solids of bisphenol A diglycidyl ether (BADGE). 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising an electro-optical material between the first layer and the first electrode. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the first side of the first layer includes multiple levels. 
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the second side of the layer includes multiple levels. 
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the first layer is transparent and wherein the first electrode element is transparent. 
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the first layer is transparent and wherein the first electrode element is reflective. 
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the first layer is opaque. 
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 6  further comprising a second polymeric layer on an opposite side of the electo-optical material as the first polymeric layer, the second polymeric layer having second substantially similar second sets of portions, each portion of the second sets including a specific amount of a cross-linking agent, wherein each portion of the second sets has a distinct thickness for the specific amount of cross-linking agent 
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the second polymeric layer includes multiple levels on the same side of the second polymeric layer as the second electrode. 
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the second polymeric layer includes multiple levels on the same side as the electro-optical material. 
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least a percentage of at least one portion is ramped. 
   
   
       16 . A method comprising:
 providing a layer of material;   selectively treating portions of the layer to form a pattern of multiple substantially similar sets of portions, wherein each set includes differently treated portions that exhibit different degrees of material volatization from the layer to form different thicknesses across the layer; and   forming electrodes on opposite sides of the layer.   
   
   
       17 . A method comprising:
 providing a first layer of material;   selectively treating portions of the first layer such a differently treated portions exhibit different degrees of material volatization from the first layer to form a first structure having different levels; and   applying one or more second layers of one or more materials over the levels and separating the first structure from the one or more second layers to form a second structure having a negative copy of the levels of the first structure.   
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the levels include multiple substantially similar sets of levels, each set including portions having specific amounts of cross-linking agents, wherein each portion has a distinct thickness for the specified amount of the cross-linking agent. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein selectively treating comprises:
 exposing the portions of the first layer to distinct exposure doses of radiation; and   heating the portions.   
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 17  further comprising:
 providing a substrate supporting a third layer of one or more materials; and   imprinting the third layer with the negative copy of the levels of the first structure.