Patent ID: 7238734

Claim:
A method for preparing an optical component comprising: providing nanofillers with domain size less than 100 nanometers comprising particles with an aspect ratio greater than 1 and less than or equal to 3; providing a matrix; wherein the nanofillers comprise a particle surface comprising a coating of a phase that is compatible with the matrix or a substrate surface wherein a precursor has been reacted with the particle surface of the nanofillers; mixing the nanofillers with the matrix below a nanofillers loading of 80% by volume; using the mixture of nanofillers and the matrix to produce an optical nanocomposite; and wherein the optical nanocomposite refracts, filters, transmits or reflects a wavelength of light by an amount that differs by more than 20% as compared with an optical composite material of a similar composition with filler particles having a domain size of at least one micron.