Optical materials, optical components, devices, and methods

Abstract

An optical material comprising quantum confined semiconductor nanoparticles having an improved solid state photoluminescent efficiency is disclosed. Also disclosed is an optical component including an optical material comprising quantum confined semiconductor nanoparticles having an improved solid state photoluminescent efficiency. Further disclosed are methods for treating an optical material comprising quantum confined semiconductor nanoparticles. Further disclosed are methods for treating an optical component including an optical material comprising quantum confined semiconductor nanoparticles. One method comprises exposing the optical material to a light flux and heat for a period of time sufficient to increase the solid state photoluminescent quantum efficiency of the optical material by at least 10% of its pre-exposure solid state photoluminescent quantum efficiency value. Another method comprises exposing an optical component comprising quantum confined semiconductor nanoparticles to a light flux and heat for a period of time sufficient to increase the solid state photoluminescent quantum efficiency of the optical material by at least 10% of its pre-exposure solid state photoluminescent quantum efficiency value. Additional methods are disclosed, as are optical materials and optical components obtained by such methods. Devices including optical materials and/or optical components are also disclosed.

1 - 170 . (canceled) 
     
     
         171 . A method for treating an optical material comprising quantum confined semiconductor nanoparticles, the method comprising exposing at least partially encapsulated optical material to a light flux for a period of time sufficient to increase the solid state photoluminescent quantum efficiency of the optical material by at least 10% of its pre-exposure solid state photoluminescent quantum efficiency value. 
     
     
         172 . A method in accordance with  claim 171  wherein the at least partially encapsulated is exposed to light flux for a period of time sufficient to increase solid state photoluminescent efficiency of the optical material by at least 30% of its pre-exposure solid state photoluminescent quantum efficiency value. 
     
     
         173 . A method in accordance with  claim 171  wherein the at least partially encapsulated optical material is exposed to light flux for a period of time sufficient to increase solid state photoluminescent efficiency of the optical material by at least 40% of its pre-exposure solid state photoluminescent quantum efficiency value. 
     
     
         174 . (canceled) 
     
     
         175 . A method for treating an optical material comprising quantum confined semiconductor nanoparticles, the method comprising exposing at least partially encapsulated optical material to a light flux for a period of time sufficient to achieve a solid state photoluminescent efficiency of the optical material greater than or equal to about 80%. 
     
     
         176 . (canceled) 
     
     
         177 . A method in accordance with  claim 175  wherein the at least partially encapsulated optical material is exposed to light flux for a period of time sufficient to achieve a solid state photoluminescent efficiency of the optical material greater than or equal to about 90%. 
     
     
         178 . A method in accordance with  claim 171  wherein the optical material is fully encapsulated. 
     
     
         179 . A method in accordance with  claim 171  wherein the optical material is heated at least a portion of the time the optical material is exposed to light flux. 
     
     
         180 . A method in accordance with  claim 179  wherein the optical material is heated during the total time while the optical material is exposed to light flux. 
     
     
         181 . A method in accordance with  171  wherein the light flux comprises a peak wavelength in a range from about 365 nm to about 480 nm. 
     
     
         182 . A method in accordance with  claim 171  wherein the light flux is from about 10 to about 100 mW/cm 2 . 
     
     
         183 . A method in accordance with  claim 171  wherein exposing the optical material to heat comprises exposing the optical material to a temperature in a range from about 25° to about 80° C. 
     
     
         184 - 220 . (canceled) 
     
     
         221 . A method in accordance with  claim 171  wherein the at least partially encapsulated optical material is exposed to the light flux for a period of time until the solid state photoluminescent efficiency increases to a substantially constant value. 
     
     
         222 . A method in accordance with  claim 171  wherein the optical material further includes a host material in which the nanoparticles are dispersed. 
     
     
         223 . A method in accordance with  claim 175  wherein the optical material is fully encapsulated. 
     
     
         224 . A method in accordance with  claim 175  wherein the optical material is heated at least a portion of the time the optical material is exposed to light flux. 
     
     
         225 . A method in accordance with  claim 224  wherein the optical material is heated during the total time while the optical material is exposed to light flux. 
     
     
         226 . A method in accordance with  175  wherein the light flux comprises a peak wavelength in a range from about 365 nm to about 480 nm. 
     
     
         227 . A method in accordance with  claim 175  wherein the light flux is from about 10 to about 100 mW/cm 2 . 
     
     
         228 . A method in accordance with  claim 175  wherein exposing the optical material to heat comprises exposing the optical material to a temperature in a range from about 25° to about 80° C. 
     
     
         229 . A method in accordance with  claim 175  wherein the optical material further includes a host material in which the nanoparticles are dispersed.