JP2003279701A - Optical material, optical component and structure - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide various optical components such as a lens, an optical fiber and a semiconductor laser without damaging optical characteristics, mechanical characteristics and physical characteristics even due to deformation, by easily tracking deformation due to force even after a shape is molded and uniformly transmitting the force without causing stress concentration, and to provide an optical material used therefor and a structure used in a wide range of electronic components. <P>SOLUTION: The optical material, the optical components and structure are obtained comprising an acrylic elastic body having a three-dimensional mesh-like structure formed by curing using heat or an energy ray regarding a high molecular solid mesh-like elastic structure, in particular, acrylic syrup as a precursor. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to passive optical components such as lenses, prisms, diffraction gratings and waveguides, active optical components such as semiconductor lasers, photodetectors and optical integrated circuits, or optical components thereof. Optical materials used for
In addition, the present invention relates to various structures in which a metal, an inorganic compound, or a polymer material is combined.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventional passive optical components, active optical components, or optical materials used for these optical components include inorganic materials such as glass and quartz, hard polymer materials such as polymethylmethacrylate and polycarbonate. Is used. Since these are hard, their optical characteristics are stable. However, on the other hand, there are problems such as damage to the human body due to damage or damage due to impact. On the other hand, in the field of contact lenses and the like, in addition to these hard materials, flexible soft polymer materials are also used.

Polymer materials used for these optical materials include thermoplastic resins such as polymethylmethacrylate, polycarbonate, polystyrene, polyethylene and polyamide, and thermosetting resins such as epoxy resin, urea resin, melamine resin and phenol resin. There is resin. The thermoplastic resin has a linear polymer structure, and the polymers are not chemically bonded to each other and do not have a network structure. For this reason, some flexible materials exist, but they do not have sufficient elasticity. In thermosetting resins, crosslinking causes a network polymer structure during curing, but due to the strong bond,
It is a hard and non-elastic material. Since materials with these structures do not have elasticity, there was a problem that they could not be sufficiently deformed when a force was applied, or even if they were deformed, stress concentration was likely to occur partially and the optical characteristics etc. changed. .

Further, the structure includes various mechanical structural members ranging from the above-mentioned optical parts to the large, such as building materials, etc., but in such a structure, conventionally, a molten material is put in a mold. After filling in, the mixture is cooled and solidified and heat-cured to give the desired shape, or the curable material is injected or applied to the object and then heat-cured, UV-cured, or moisture-cured to obtain the desired shape. .

[0005]

According to the prior art,
There has been a problem that once the shape is given, it cannot be flexibly deformed according to the purpose of use. Further, in the optical member, when a force is applied, there is a possibility that the hard glass or the hard polymer may be distorted at one place, and the soft polymer may be deformed but the stress concentration and the structure become nonuniform. Therefore, there is a drawback that the designed optical characteristics cannot be maintained.

Hereinafter, the problems that the conventional techniques have with respect to optical materials, optical components, and structures will be specifically described.

Conventionally, a hard gasket has been used as a fixing member for fixing the position of the lens and the space between the lenses. The gasket is also used as a molding member for molding the resin layer of the compound lens into a diameter smaller than the lens outer diameter. However, since the gasket is hard, there is a risk that the lens will be damaged when it is fixed. Further, once fixed, there is a drawback that a device having a complicated structure is required to change the lens position.

Recently, a variable focus lens has been attracting attention as a visual sensor for robots and the like. The variable focus lens is
A lens in which an optically transparent liquid material is enclosed between two elastically deformable polymer films. Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-88004
In the method of the publication, since the elastic polymer film elastically deforms in a parabolic shape, a lens having no aberration is formed, and the radius of curvature of the polymer film changes according to the filling amount of the liquid material and the focal length is changed. Change. However, with polymeric membranes and liquid materials,
Since the light transmittance and refractive index are different,
The refraction and reflection of light reduce the light yield. In addition, a pump for filling and withdrawing liquid, a control device for controlling filling, etc. are required,
There is a drawback in that the entire structure of the varifocal lens is complicated and large-scale. Furthermore, not only is the manufacturing process complicated because the liquid material must be sealed, but because the lens is filled with liquid, gravity collects the liquid under the lens when the lens is placed vertically. There is a drawback that the lens shape is distorted and the focus is deviated.

Problems relating to an optical fiber as another example of the optical component will be described. In optical fibers, it is important to connect the fibers to each other, and it is necessary to efficiently transmit light from one optical fiber to the other optical fiber. For this reason, it is necessary to melt-bond the optical fibers to each other, or to strictly align the optical axes. Further, there is also one in which a liquid or the like is enclosed in order to prevent dirt and dust on the optical fiber on the optical axis. However, according to these methods, the work such as fusion bonding, optical axis alignment, or liquid sealing is complicated, and the connection portion is large.

Next, regarding the structure, for example, for ease of understanding, the problems that the optical panel has from the commonalities with the optical parts will be described. An optical panel is an optical element that uses a translucent structure, and is a laminated body or a window using the laminated body as a panel that reversibly changes a light transmission state and a non-transmission state by heating or light absorption. Have been devised. In these, an optical functional material is enclosed between glass plates, and a light transmission state and a non-transmission state are changed by heat, electricity, light or the like. For example, there are liquid crystal, electrochromic, photochromic, thermochromic, and the like. However,
These require encapsulation of a liquid material, which not only complicates the manufacturing process but also makes the material expensive. In addition, a spacer is required to keep the gap between the glass plates.

Not only the above-mentioned optical panel but also various structures are generally filled with resin on or between base materials, and then sealed or cured. However, in the conventional technique, the resin shrinks or expands after encapsulation or at the time of curing. Furthermore, when a resin having a complicated shape was filled with resin, it was not possible to completely fill the corners. Further, there is a defect that the shape after curing cannot be changed arbitrarily. The method of cutting into a desired shape after curing can prevent the resin from shrinking or expanding, but the complicated shape has a drawback that the work becomes complicated and a gap is formed.

[0012]

According to the present invention, by using a polymeric three-dimensional network elastic structure, it is possible to easily fill any shape and to transform it into any shape after molding. Provide optical parts / materials and structures.

[0013]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Generally, a polymeric three-dimensional network structure means a structure in which particles are connected to each other to form a three-dimensional network or honeycomb structure, so-called gel.
However, the present invention is not limited to this structure, and includes a structure in which a polymer chain rather than a particle has an infinite molecular weight due to a crosslinked structure.

The optical material of the present invention comprises a polymer three-dimensional network elastic structure. Further, the polymer three-dimensional network elastic structure portion has a light incident surface and / or a light emitting surface. The polymer three-dimensional network elastic structure is preferably formed by polymerization with heat or energy rays using syrup as a precursor. Further, it is preferable that the polymer three-dimensional network elastic structure is an acrylic elastic body.

The optical component of the present invention is an optical element having a polymer three-dimensional network elastic structure portion. The polymer three-dimensional mesh elastic structure forms a light incident surface and / or a light emitting surface. Further, it is preferable that the polymer three-dimensional network elastic structure portion is an acrylic elastic body. Furthermore, it is preferable that the polymer three-dimensional network elastic structure portion has a light-transmitting property. The refractive index of the polymeric three-dimensional network elastic structure portion is preferably 1.3 or more and 1.7 or less.

In the structure of the present invention, the interface is formed by the base material and the polymeric three-dimensional network elastic structure. The surface of the substrate facing the polymer three-dimensional network elastic structure may be a flat surface, a curved surface, unevenness on the flat surface, or unevenness on the curved surface. Further, the surface of the polymer three-dimensional network elastic structure facing the base material may be a flat surface, a curved surface, unevenness on the flat surface, or unevenness on the curved surface. Further, the base material may have flexibility. Further, there may be a plurality of the polymer three-dimensional network elastic structures, which have the same or different elastic moduli, or the polymer three-dimensional network elastic structure contains bubbles or particles. May be. It is preferable that the polymer three-dimensional network elastic structure is an acrylic elastic body.

According to the constitution of the present invention, since the polymer three-dimensional network elastic structure is provided, the polymer three-dimensional network elastic structure evenly receives stress even when stress is applied from the inside or the outside. Since it acts to disperse, local stress concentration does not occur and force is transmitted uniformly throughout, so optical materials, optical parts, and structures have optical or mechanical properties,
It can be flexibly deformed without impairing its physical properties.
Furthermore, since the optical material, the optical component, and the structure made of the polymer three-dimensional network elastic structure can be deformed after molding, it is possible to fill the gaps or the depressions by pressing. The polymer three-dimensional network elastic structure can be obtained by heat-curing, UV-curing, or electron-beam curing a syrup that is a precursor.

In the prior art, it was necessary to lower the viscosity by raising the temperature of the resin or increasing the amount of the solvent in order to pour it into the mold. However, thermoplastic resins cannot be raised to a very high temperature due to the decomposition temperature of the monomer, and thermosetting resins cure, so there is a limit to raising the temperature to lower the viscosity of the resin. It was Further, when the amount of the solvent is increased, the solvent must be volatilized, the drying time becomes long, and the vapor of the solvent may affect the environment. As described above, in the conventional materials, the viscosity at the time of molding could not be adjusted arbitrarily. Therefore, when the resin is poured into a die having a complicated shape, there is a possibility that a gap may be formed or bubbles may be mixed.

In the optical material, optical component, and structure of the polymer three-dimensional network elastic structure of the present invention, the viscosity can be adjusted by adjusting the precursor syrup to the molding conditions. Therefore, injection molding is possible, and it is not necessary to give a shape using a mold or the like in advance, and even a complicated shape can be easily molded. Also, U
In V-curing, the flexibility of the polymer three-dimensional network elastic structure can be locally changed by adjusting the presence or absence of UV irradiation and the intensity of irradiation.

The present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a lens position variable gasket. The cap 13 and the lens holder 14 are joined by a screw portion, and the gasket holder 15 is arranged inside the lens holder 14. The lens 2 is fixed by gaskets 1a and 1b made of a polymeric three-dimensional network elastic structure. Since the lens is fixed by the polymer three-dimensional mesh-like elastic structure, no damage or scratch occurs when fixing the lens. Further, in FIG. 1, if the gasket 1a is configured to be softer than the gasket 1b, by tightening the cap 3, the lens can be moved to the gasket 1a side having a larger deformation amount. Since the polymer three-dimensional network elastic structure is used, the position can be changed smoothly without damaging the lens. When the cap 3 is loosened, the lens can be returned to the original position by the elastic force (restoring force) of the polymer three-dimensional network elastic structure. The shape of the gasket is not limited to that shown in FIG. 1, and may be any shape as long as it has a contact with the lens and can follow the movement of the lens as it moves.

Further, in FIG. 2, two lenses 2a and 2b are provided.
A gasket 1d made of a soft polymer three-dimensional network elastic structure and a gasket 1c, 1e of a hard polymer three-dimensional elastic structure are arranged on the outer side. Lens 2
When b is pressed toward the lens 2a and moved to the position of the lens 2b ', the soft gasket 1d arranged between the lenses is deformed like the gasket 1d'. With such a configuration, it is possible to change the distance between the lenses. The lens combination is a convex lens and a convex lens,
It may be either a convex lens and a concave lens, a concave lens and a concave lens, or a combination thereof.
It may be more than one. The moving distance and the lens to be moved can be selected by selecting the hardness and arrangement of the polymer three-dimensional network elastic structure to be used. The gasket may be provided not only on the peripheral edge of the lens but also on the entire surface as long as a transparent polymer three-dimensional network elastic structure is used. According to this, it becomes possible to move the lens having good parallelism to the optical axis. As described above, since the optical material composed of the polymeric three-dimensional network elastic structure of the present invention can be deformed after molding, it can be safely fixed without risk of damage to the lens by using it as a gasket, and also has a simple structure. It enables the movement of the lens.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view (a) of the variable focus lens,
And a perspective view (b) is shown. A lens retainer 31 is attached to the outer periphery of the cylindrical lens 1 made of a polymeric three-dimensional mesh-like elastic structure. With the lens retainer 31,
By pressing the cylindrical lens inward,
The polymer three-dimensional network elastic structure is deformed in the optical axis direction, and the focus can be changed. Further, since the polymeric three-dimensional network elastic structure tries to return to its original state by relaxing the force applied to the lens, it is possible to reversibly change the focal length of the lens.

Unlike the liquid material, even if the lens is vertically arranged, the shape of the polymer three-dimensional network elastic structure does not change,
The focus can be changed while always maintaining a constant optical axis. In addition, the optical material of the present invention can have a uniform refractive index and a uniform light-transmitting property by preparing it into a uniform structure. Therefore, the light is not refracted or reflected inside the lens, and the light yield is good, so that it is suitable as an optical component forming the light incident surface. Furthermore, since stress concentration does not occur, even if it is deformed, its optical characteristics are not lost.
As described above, the optical component having the polymer three-dimensional network elastic structure of the present invention can be used as a cylindrical lens to finely adjust the focal position by adjusting the pressure from the side surface of the lens. Become.

FIG. 4 shows an optical fiber connecting portion. Usually, an optical fiber has an inner core layer and an outer clad layer, and is designed so that the refractive index of the core layer is higher than that of the clad layer. The connecting members 1 '(a) and 1' (b) made of the polymeric three-dimensional network elastic structure of the present invention connect the optical fibers 41a and 41b. Polymer three-dimensional network elastic structure 1 '(a), 1' (b) used here
Is appropriately selected from those having excellent translucency. Above all, an optical material made of an acrylic elastic body is excellent in translucency and is preferable as an optical fiber connecting member. As will be described later, an acrylic elastic body having a good light-transmitting property can be obtained by selecting the monomer composition thereof. Further, the refractive index of 1 '(a) is designed to be higher than that of 1' (b). Also,
Since the refractive index of the polymer three-dimensional network elastic structure can be arbitrarily adjusted by the composition of the syrup, the refractive index of 1 '(a) is adjusted to be the same as that of the core layers of the optical fibers 41a and 41b. The light loss at the interface of the connecting member can be reduced. As a result, it is possible to reduce the optical loss at the optical fiber connection portion, and it is possible to efficiently transmit light even if the central axes of the two optical fibers are slightly misaligned without requiring strict alignment. . Further, since the polymer three-dimensional network elastic structure does not flow out after molding, there is no need for sealing and no fixing member or the like. As described above, the optical fiber connecting member made of the polymer three-dimensional network elastic structure of the present invention can reduce light loss at the connection portion, can transmit light in good yield, and can be used like a liquid. It enables connection without the need for sealing.

FIG. 5 shows an optical panel in which the amount of transmitted light can be changed by applying pressure. The polymer three-dimensional network elastic structure 1 having irregularities on the surface is sandwiched between the glass plates 51a and 51b. In the state where no pressure is applied, the light incident from the glass plate 51a is scattered (a) by the unevenness of the surface of the polymer three-dimensional network elastic structure 1 and hardly transmits light, but pressure is applied to the glass plates 51a and 5a.
When 1b is pressed, the polymer three-dimensional network elastic structure 1 sandwiched therebetween is deformed and adheres to the surfaces of the glass plates 51a and 51b, so that the polymer three-dimensional network elastic structure 1 surface has no unevenness (b ), The scattering of light disappears, and light comes to be transmitted.

Further, in the glass plate 51b, the surface opposite to the polymer three-dimensional network elastic structure may be mirror-finished. In this case, in a state where no pressure is applied, the light incident from the glass plate 51a is scattered by the unevenness of the surface of the polymer three-dimensional network elastic structure 1 and hardly transmits light and does not function as a mirror. Glass plate 51a under pressure
When 51 and 51b are pressed, the polymer three-dimensional network elastic structure 1 sandwiched therebetween is deformed, and the polymer three-dimensional network elastic structure 1 has no irregularities on its surface and has a function as a mirror. As described above, in the structure of the present invention, switching between light transmission and non-light transmission can be achieved with a simple structure by sandwiching the polymer three-dimensional network elastic structure having irregularities on the surface between the glass plates.

6 and 7 show composite members used for building materials, electronic parts and the like. In FIG. 6, a polymer three-dimensional network elastic structure precursor is injected into the hollow member 61 and polymerized and cured by heat, ultraviolet rays or electron beams to form the polymer three-dimensional network elastic structure 1. Also in FIG. 7, the plate-shaped member 7
The polymer three-dimensional network elastic structure precursor is injected into the gap between the first and the second 72 and polymerized and cured by heat, ultraviolet rays or electron beams to form the three-dimensional polymer network elastic structure 1. Figure 6,
Each of the structures in FIG. 7 has a soundproofing, soundproofing, shock absorbing or damping effect due to the polymeric three-dimensional network elastic structure inside.

The polymer three-dimensional network elastic structure of the present invention comprises
It is preferable that the syrup is used as a precursor and is polymerized by heat or energy rays. In such a method, since the viscosity of the syrup can be adjusted according to the molding conditions, the injection molding is easy, it is not necessary to mold the member in advance, and a complicated shape can be easily molded. Further, even if a gap is formed, the polymer three-dimensional network elastic structure can be deformed after molding, so that the gap can be filled by pressing the gel. Examples of the polymer three-dimensional network elastic structure that can be injection-molded include acrylic gel and silicone gel. However, silicone gel is likely to generate hydrogen. For this reason,
It is preferable to use an acrylic elastic body that does not release hydrogen for the structures shown in FIGS.

In FIG. 8A, a bimetal 81 having a function such as a valve or a switch is attached to a polymer three-dimensional network elastic structure 1.
(B) shows the operating state. Normally, since the bimetal 81 is exposed, the life may be extremely shortened due to rust or corrosion. Therefore,
In the past, there has been a bimetal whose surface is plated with metal (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-317945). However, since the metal plating layer and the bimetal have different thermal expansion coefficients and poor malleability, the bimetal operation is repeated, and the metal plating layer is cracked, and rust and corrosion are generated from the cracks. there were. Furthermore, the metal plating may reduce the reaction characteristics of the bimetal. A bimetal coated with a resin is disclosed in order to solve the drawback that the reaction characteristic of the bimetal is deteriorated (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-281).
457). However, the ability to follow the operation of the bimetal is not sufficient. The conventional problem is solved by using the bimetal 81 covered with the polymeric three-dimensional network elastic structure 1 of the present invention. The structure using the polymer three-dimensional network elastic structure of the present invention can be deformed arbitrarily after molding, so that when the polymer three-dimensional network elastic structure is used as a bimetal, the bimetal repeats the operation. However, the polymer three-dimensional network elastic structure follows the movement,
It does not crack or rust or corrode the bimetal.

FIG. 9 shows a structure in which the foaming agent 91 is included in the polymeric three-dimensional network elastic structure 1. By applying heat, the foaming agent expands and the volume of the structure increases.
At that time, since the acrylic elastic body has a flexible structure, cracks and cracks due to expansion do not occur, and a uniform structure can be obtained. Examples of foaming agents used include azo foaming agents, nitroso foaming agents, hydrazide foaming agents, triazine foaming agents and other thermally decomposable foaming agents, and volatile liquid expanding agents such as propane and hexane as thermoplastic polymers. Examples thereof include heat-expandable microcapsules encapsulated in a polymer shell.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of a portion in which glass is fitted in the frame of the glass sash. Glass 101,
It is obtained by fitting in the frame 102, injecting a polymer three-dimensional network elastic structure precursor, and polymerizing and curing. In the conventional method, it is necessary to mold a resin in advance, cut it into a desired shape, and then fit it into a frame and bond it. Therefore, it was difficult to work with a complicated shape, and the manufacturing efficiency was low because the number of working steps was increased. The use of the polymeric three-dimensional network elastic structure of the present invention enables injection into a gap and molding by applying a relatively low temperature.

As the polymer three-dimensional network elastic structure used in the optical material, optical component and structure of the present invention in the above-mentioned embodiments, acrylic elastic material, silicone gel and the like can be mentioned. However, it is possible to adjust the viscosity of the precursor syrup to a lower viscosity and to facilitate injection molding,
It is preferable to use an acrylic elastic body because it is easy to adjust the refractive index by selecting a monomer described later, or has good translucency and weather resistance to light.

The acrylic elastic material used in the optical material of the present invention comprises (A) acrylic monomer (B) acrylic polymer (C) crosslinking agent and / or crosslinkable monomer (D).
It is obtained by polymerizing and curing a precursor containing an initiator. The precursor containing these (A) (B) (C) (D) is
It is preferable to adjust the viscosity during molding to 1 to 60 Pa · s. If it is less than 1 Pa · s, shrinkage or distortion is likely to occur during polymerization and curing, and if it is more than 60 Pa · s, a gap may be formed during injection or bubbles may be mixed. The viscosity of the precursor is preferably in the range of 1 to 60 Pa · s so that no gap is formed during injection and shrinkage or distortion does not occur during polymerization. Also, for any deformation after molding,
30 to 90 parts by weight of a low molecular weight acrylic polymer having a molecular weight of 500 to 4500 as measured by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) is contained in 100 parts by weight of a cured product after polymerization and curing. It is preferable. Further, it is preferable that the hardness of the polymerized and cured product represented by an Asker C type hardness meter at 20 ° C. according to the Japan Rubber Association Standard 0101 method is in the range of 20 to 60 (degrees).

The (A) acrylic monomer is preferably a monomer mixture containing (meth) acrylic acid alkyl ester as a main component. Examples of alkyl (meth) acrylates include methyl (meth) acrylate, ethyl (meth) acrylate, propyl (meth) acrylate, butyl (meth) acrylate, pentyl (meth) acrylate,
Hexyl (meth) acrylate, (meth) acrylic acid-2-
Examples thereof include ethylhexyl, octyl (meth) acrylate, and nonyl (meth) acrylate.

A functional group-containing monomer is preferred as the monomer to be copolymerized with the acrylic acid alkyl ester.
As the functional group-containing monomer, a hydroxyl group-containing monomer such as 2-hydroxyethyl (meth) acrylate, a carboxyl group-containing monomer such as (meth) acrylic acid,
Amide group-containing monomers such as N, N-dimethylacrylamide and (meth) acrylamide, amino group-containing monomers such as aminoethyl (meth) acrylate and propylaminoethyl (meth) acrylate, and epoxy structures such as glycidyl (meth) acrylate Vinyl monomer with
Examples thereof include monomers having an alkoxysilyl group.

In addition to the above functional group-containing monomers, other copolymerizable monomers can be used as the modifying monomer. Examples of the modifying monomer include phenyl (meth) acrylate, allyl esters of (meth) acrylic acid such as benzyl (meth) acrylate, methoxyethyl (meth) acrylate, and alkoxy methacrylate such as ethoxyethyl (meth) acrylate. Alkyl esters,
Examples thereof include halogen-containing vinyl monomers such as fluorine-containing vinyl monomers and chlorine-containing vinyl monomers. These modifying monomers are appropriately selected and used according to the purpose.

For example, in order to obtain a polymer three-dimensional network elastic structure having high transparency, the number of carbon atoms of the alkyl group is 1 to
It is preferable to use 4 methacrylic acid alkyl esters and acrylic acid alkyl esters having an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms. In order to obtain a polymer three-dimensional network elastic structure having a high refractive index, the number of carbon atoms in the alkyl group is 1.
It is preferable to use alkyl methacrylates 2 to 22, hydroxy group-containing vinyl compounds, amino group-containing vinyl compounds, and epoxy group-containing vinyl compounds.
In order to obtain a polymer three-dimensional network elastic structure having a low refractive index, halogen-containing vinyl monomers such as fluorine vinyl monomers and chlorine vinyl monomers are preferably used.

As the acrylic polymer (B), a polymer or copolymer of the above-mentioned acrylic monomer is used. The monomer to be copolymerized is not particularly limited, but when a large amount of a polyfunctional monomer such as a crosslinkable monomer is contained, the molecular weight of the polymer becomes large and the viscosity of the precursor becomes high. It is not preferable because there may be gaps or air bubbles may enter.

Examples of the crosslinking agent (C) include isocyanate compounds, epoxy compounds, metal chelate crosslinking agents, aziridine compounds and amine compounds. Examples of the isocyanate compound include aromatic diisocyanate compounds such as tolylene diisocyanate, xylylene diisocyanate and diphenylmethane diisocyanate, aliphatic or alicyclic diisocyanate compounds such as hexamethylene diisocyanate and isophorone diisocyanate, and tolylene diisocyanate 3 of trimethylolpropane. Polymer adduct, triphenylmethane triisocyanate, methylenebis (4-phenylmethane)
Examples thereof include triisocyanate compounds such as triisocyanate. Examples of the epoxy-based cross-linking agent include bisphenol A / epichlorohydrin type epoxy resin, ethylene glycol diglycidyl ether, diglycidyl aniline, trimethylolpropane triglycidyl ether, N, N, N ′, N′-tetraglycidyl-m-xylenediamine. And so on. Examples of the metal chelate cross-linking agent include acetylacetone and acetoacetate ester coordination compounds of polyvalent metals such as aluminum, iron, tin, zinc and titanium. Examples of the aziridine compound include N,
N'-hexamethylene 1,6-bis (1-aziridinecarboxamide), trimethylolpropane-tri-β-aziridimylpropionate and the like can be mentioned. As the crosslinkable monomer, diethylene glycol di (meth) acrylate, ethylene glycol di (meth) acrylate,
Tetraethylene glycol di (meth) acrylate, tripropylene glycol di (meth) acrylate, 1,
3-butylene glycol di (meth) acrylate, neopentyl glycol di (meth) acrylate, 1,6-
Examples include hexanediol di (meth) acrylate, trimethylolpropane tri (meth) acrylate, pentaerythritol tri (meth) acrylate, dipentaerythritol hexa (meth) acrylate, and divinylbenzene.

Examples of the (D) initiator include a thermal polymerization initiator (radical initiator) and a UV polymerization initiator. As the thermal polymerization initiator, dicumyl peroxide, di-t-
Butyl peroxide, 2,5-dimethyl-2,5-bis (t-butylperoxy) hexane, 2,5-dimethyl-
2,5-bis (t-butylperoxy) hexyne-3,
1,3-bis (t-butylperoxyisopropyl) benzene, 1,1-bis (t-butylperoxy) valalate, benzoyl peroxide, t-butylperoxybenzoate, acetyl peroxide, isobutyl peroxide, octanoyl Peroxide, decanoyl peroxide, lauroyl peroxide, 3,
Peroxide initiators such as 3,5-trimethylhexanoyl peroxide and 2,4-dichlorobenzoyl peroxide, m-toluyl peroxide, azobisisobutyronitrile, dimethylazoisobutyronitrile,
Examples of the azo initiator include 2,2'-azobis (4-methoxy-2,4-dimethylvaleronitrile) and 2,2'-azobis (2,4-dimethylvaleronitrile). , Α-hydroxy-α, α'-dimethyl-
Acetophenone, methoxyacetophenone, 2,2-dimethoxy-2-phenylacetophenone, 2-hydroxy-
Examples thereof include acetophenone-based initiators such as 2-cyclohexylacetophenone, ketal-based initiators such as benzyldimethylketal, acylphosphinoxide, and acylphosphonate. These polymerization initiators are added in an amount of 0.000 relative to 100 parts by weight of the acrylic monomer.
It is preferably used in the range of 01 to 5 parts by weight.

When the precursor is polymerized and cured, any one of thermal polymerization, UV polymerization, electron beam polymerization, or a combination of these methods can be used.
In the thermal polymerization, it is possible to carry out the polymerization at a low temperature by selecting a thermal polymerization initiator having a low 10-hour half-life temperature, preferably 50 ° C. or lower. Further, by utilizing the viscous property of the precursor, as a polymerization method thereof, any one of a casting method, a mold method, and a spray dispersion method is appropriately selected, and it has flexibility and excellent impact resilience depending on the use. A high viscoelastic molding can be obtained. For example, by polymerizing and curing by a casting method, it can be easily formed as a laminate on a sheet-shaped or various film-shaped substrate, and further on various substrates. Further, according to the mold method, it is possible to obtain a molded product having molding flexibility by filling it in a flexible mold and curing it. Furthermore, a spherical high viscoelastic body can be produced by polymerizing and curing by a spray drying method. Examples of the light source for photopolymerization such as UV irradiation include low-pressure to ultra-high-pressure mercury lamps, chemical lamps, black light lamps, microwave-excited mercury lamps, and metal halide lamps. In the present invention, a chemical lamp is preferably used as appropriate, and it efficiently emits light in the active wavelength region of the photopolymerization initiator and has little light absorption.

As described above, the optical material, the optical component, and the structural body of the polymeric three-dimensional network elastic structure of the present invention can be cured by light using the syrup as a precursor, that is, can be molded at room temperature. Therefore, it is suitable for heat-sensitive electronic components and structures. In addition, when polymerizing and curing the precursor of this viscous material, other additives are appropriately blended depending on the purpose of use of this cured molded article, as long as the high viscoelasticity of the resulting cured body is not impaired. be able to. For example, plasticizer, lubricant, curing accelerator, thickener, release agent, filler, defoaming agent, heat resistance imparting agent, flame retardant, antistatic agent, conductivity imparting agent, antibacterial agent, antifungal agent, Examples include pigments. The amount of these additives is appropriately selected within a range that does not impair the polymerization curability due to thermal polymerization, UV polymerization, electron beam polymerization, etc., and the moldability and handling property of the precursor having its viscosity. be able to.

As described above, according to the present invention, the polymeric three-dimensional network elastic structure can be deformed after molding, so that the lens can be safely fixed without risk of damage by using it as a gasket. Further, the lens position can be moved with a simple structure. By using a polymeric three-dimensional network elastic structure for the cylindrical lens, stress can be uniformly transmitted without concentration of stress, so the focal length of the lens can be reversible with a simple configuration without impairing optical characteristics. It has become possible to change to. further,
Unlike the conventional variable focus lens, since a liquid material is not used, the shape of the lens does not distort even if the lens is arranged vertically, and the focal length can be changed while always maintaining a constant optical axis. In addition, the polymer three-dimensional network elastic structure is
With a uniform structure, it can be adjusted to have a uniform refractive index and translucency, so that an optical component having no light refraction and reflection inside the lens and a good light yield can be obtained. further,
Since the polymer three-dimensional network elastic structure of the present invention transmits the force uniformly without stress concentration when a force is applied, the designed optical characteristics can be maintained even when deformed.

The polymer three-dimensional network elastic structure can be deformed after molding, and the one having excellent translucency can be obtained by the composition of the precursor syrup. Therefore, the polymer three-dimensional network elastic structure having irregularities on the surface is obtained. By sandwiching the body between the glass plates, it is possible to obtain a structure capable of switching between transmission and non-transmission of light with a simple structure.

Further, since the refractive index of the polymer three-dimensional network elastic structure can be arbitrarily adjusted by the composition of the syrup, it is possible to use a connecting member made of the polymer three-dimensional network elastic structure at the connecting portion of the optical fiber. , Without the need for precise alignment, and without the need for liquid-like sealing. Moreover, even if the central axes of the two optical fibers to be connected are slightly deviated from each other, light can be efficiently transmitted. Furthermore, since the connecting member made of the polymeric three-dimensional network elastic structure does not flow out after molding, there is no need for sealing, and no fixing member or the like is required.

In the structure, since the syrup, which is the precursor of the polymer three-dimensional network elastic structure, can be injection molded, it is not necessary to mold the member in advance, and even a complicated shape can be easily molded. can do. Further, even if there is a gap after molding, the polymer three-dimensional network elastic structure can be deformed after molding, so that the polymer three-dimensional network elastic structure can be filled by pressing to fill the gap. You can The polymer three-dimensional network elastic structure is
The method of UV-curing the precursor syrup is effective for heat-sensitive members, and also in curing by heat, since molding at a low temperature is possible by selecting a thermal initiator, a building member, It can be used in a wide range such as electronic parts.

[0047]

The optical material comprising the polymeric three-dimensional network elastic structure of the present invention can be deformed after molding. Therefore, when it is used as an optical element, the optical element is safely fixed and moved without damage. You can Further, since stress can be uniformly transmitted without causing stress concentration, the designed optical characteristics are not damaged even when deformed. Furthermore, if the polymer three-dimensional network elastic structure is made to have a uniform structure, it has uniform refractive index and translucency, so it is possible to obtain an optical component with no internal refraction or reflection of light and a good light yield. You can In addition, since the translucency and the refractive index can be arbitrarily changed by adjusting the composition of the precursor, it can be suitably used as a lens or a member for connecting an optical fiber. Further, since it does not flow out after molding and does not require liquid-like sealing, the work is easy and the constitution of the optical element and the structure can be reduced.

In the structure, the polymer three-dimensional network elastic structure uses syrup as a precursor, and the viscosity of this syrup can be adjusted according to the molding conditions, so that the syrup is suitable for injection molding. It is not necessary to mold it, and even complicated shapes can be easily molded. Further, even if there is a gap after molding, the polymer three-dimensional network elastic structure can be deformed after molding, so that the polymer three-dimensional network elastic structure can be filled by pressing to fill the gap. You can Also, the syrup is
Since it can be photo-cured, it is effective for heat-sensitive members, and it can be used at a low temperature for heat-curing, so it can be used in a wide range of materials such as construction materials and electronic parts. Is. As described above, by using the polymer three-dimensional network elastic structure, it is possible to obtain an optical material, an optical component, and a structure that are easy to mold and can be deformed after molding.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a lens position variable gasket.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing a lens position variable gasket in which a plurality of lenses are combined.

3A and 3B are a sectional view and a perspective view, respectively, of a variable focus lens.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a connecting portion of an optical fiber.

FIG. 5 is an optical panel capable of changing a light transmission state and a light non-transmission state by pressure, (a) shows a non-transmission state, and (b) shows a transmission state.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing a composite member used for building materials, electronic parts, and the like.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory view showing a composite member used for building materials, electronic parts, and the like.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing a bimetal covered with a polymer three-dimensional network elastic structure.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a structure in which a foaming agent is dispersed in a polymeric three-dimensional network elastic structure.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a cross-sectional view of a glass sash.

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 1 (a), 1 (b), 1 (c), 1 (d), 1
(D) ', 1 (e), 1' (a), 1 '(b) Polymeric three-dimensional network elastic structure 2, 2 (a), 2 (b), 2 (b)' Lens 13 Cap 14 Lens holder 15 Gasket holder 31 Lens holder 41 (a), 41 (b) Optical fiber 51 (a), 51 (b) Glass plate 61 Hollow member 71 Plate member 72 Plate member 81 Bimetal 91 Foaming agent 101 Glass 102 Frame

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) G02B 5/02 G02B 5/02 B (72) Inventor Yoichi Takizawa 1-13 Hirose East, Sayama City, Saitama Prefecture No. 1 Research Institute in Soken Chemical Industry (72) Inventor Tatsuhiro Imai 1-13-1 Hirose Higashi, Sayama City, Saitama Prefecture F-Term in Research Institute at Soken Chemical Co., Ltd. (reference) 2H042 BA03 BA11 4J011 AA05 GA05 GB02 GB08

Claims (18)

[Claims] 1. An optical material comprising a polymeric three-dimensional network elastic structure. 2. The optical material according to claim 1, having a light incident surface and / or a light emitting surface. 3. The optical material according to claim 1, wherein the polymeric three-dimensional network elastic structure is formed by polymerization of syrup as a precursor by heat or energy rays. 4. The optical material according to claim 1, wherein the three-dimensional polymeric network elastic structure is an acrylic elastic body. 5. An optical component which is an optical element and has a polymer three-dimensional network elastic structure portion. 6. The optical component according to claim 5, wherein the polymer three-dimensional network elastic structure portion forms a light incident surface and / or a light emitting surface. 7. The optical component according to claim 5, wherein the polymer three-dimensional network elastic structure portion is an acrylic elastic body. 8. The optical component according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the polymer three-dimensional network elastic structure portion has a light-transmitting property. 9. The refractive index of the polymeric three-dimensional network elastic structure is:
It is 1.3 or more and 1.7 or less, The optical component of Claim 5 thru | or 8 characterized by the above-mentioned. 10. A structure having an interface formed by a base material and a polymer three-dimensional network elastic structure portion. 11. The structure according to claim 10, wherein the polymer three-dimensional network elastic structure is discontinuous. 12. The surface of the substrate facing the polymer three-dimensional network elastic structure has a flat surface, a curved surface, unevenness on the flat surface, or unevenness on the curved surface. The described structure. 13. The surface of the polymeric three-dimensional network elastic structure facing the base material is a flat surface or a curved surface, has unevenness on the flat surface, or has unevenness on the curved surface. The described structure. 14. The structure according to claim 10, wherein the base material has flexibility. 15. The structure according to claim 10, wherein a plurality of polymer three-dimensional network elastic structures are provided. 16. The polymer three-dimensional network elastic structure has the same or different elastic moduli.
The described structure. 17. The polymer three-dimensional network elastic structure contains bubbles or particles.
17. The structure according to any one of 16 to 16. 18. The structure according to claim 10, wherein the polymer three-dimensional network elastic structure is an acrylic elastic body.