Patent ID: 6446467
Filing Date: 2002-09-10
Classification: C03B,C03C,G02B

Abstract:
A method of making a monolithic light shaping diffuser, comprising:(A) preparing a solution of sol-gel material from a metal alkoxide, water, and a solvent; (B) casting the solution into a casting mold; (C) causing the solution in the mold to undergo a sol-to-gel transition to form a gel; (D) embossing light shaping structures on at least one surface of the sol-gel material; (E) aging the gel for a time period between approximately two weeks to approximately four weeks and then heating the gel at a first temperature to form a porous glass; and, (F) heat treating the porous glass with a process wherein, the porous glass is heated at temperatures ranging between approximately 25Â° C. and approximately 1050Â° C. for approximately 24-48 hours in a cycle wherein the treating temperature first ramps upward from approximately 25Â° C. to approximately 1050Â° C. and then downward from approximately 1050Â° C. to approximately 25Â° C. at temperatures in increments of about 100Â° C. at a rate on 0.1Â° C. per minute, and wherein each temperature increment is held at a plateau for periods of approximately 2 hours to form non-porous, consolidated glass.