Patent ID: 8448468

Claim:
A method of encapsulating a temperature and environmentally sensitive element comprising: providing a first substrate and a second substrate separated by at least one frit wall having, the frit wall having a height extending between the first and second substrates and a width including a central portion and edge portions on either side of the central portion, and at least one temperature and environmentally sensitive element disposed between the first and second substrates and surrounded by the frit wall; providing a laser that generates a laser beam having a generally circular beam profile having a diameter that is larger than the width of the frit wall; providing an opaque mask for blocking the laser beam, the mask having a substantially transparent elongate transmission region having a length and a width in the opaque material for allowing an elongate portion of the laser beam to pass through the mask, the width of the transmission region being substantially equal to the width of the frit wall, and a strip of opaque material extending approximately along a longitudinal center line of the elongate transmission region for entirely blocking a central portion of the elongate portion of the laser beam from impinging on the central portion of the frit wall while allowing the remaining portion of the elongate portion of the laser beam to impinge upon the edge portions of the frit wall; locating the mask between the laser and one of the first substrate or the second substrate, with the elongate transmission region aligned with the frit wall; and directing the laser beam through the transmission region in the mask, whereby the transmitted portion of the laser beam impinges upon the frit wall, melting the frit wall, without overheating and damaging the element, thereby joining the first and second substrates and hermetically sealing the element therebetween.