NZ760929B2 - Terminal apparatus and core network device - Google Patents

Abstract

This invention relates to an integrated process for recovering value metals from sulphide ore which includes the steps of bulk sorting 16 and screening 24/28 crushed ore. The sorted and screened coarse ore stream is ground and classified 20 to provide a coarse fraction 34 suitable for coarse flotation and a first fine fraction 38 suitable for flotation. The coarse fraction suitable for coarse flotation is subjected to coarse flotation 36 thereby to obtain a gangue 42 and an intermediate concentrate 46. The intermediate concentrate is subjected to grinding 48 to provide a second fine fraction suitable for conventional flotation. The first fine fraction and the second fine fraction are subjected to conventional flotation 40 to provide a concentrate and tailings. This process that capitalises on the natural heterogeneity of sulphide orebodies, and utilises bulk sorting, screening and coarse flotation beneficiation technologies in a novel multistage configuration to reject the maximum quantity of waste gangue prior to fine comminution. on and a first fine fraction 38 suitable for flotation. The coarse fraction suitable for coarse flotation is subjected to coarse flotation 36 thereby to obtain a gangue 42 and an intermediate concentrate 46. The intermediate concentrate is subjected to grinding 48 to provide a second fine fraction suitable for conventional flotation. The first fine fraction and the second fine fraction are subjected to conventional flotation 40 to provide a concentrate and tailings. This process that capitalises on the natural heterogeneity of sulphide orebodies, and utilises bulk sorting, screening and coarse flotation beneficiation technologies in a novel multistage configuration to reject the maximum quantity of waste gangue prior to fine comminution.

Description

OPTICAL FILTER AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING AN OPTICAL FILTER Technical Field Various embodiments relate generally to l filters, irradiation devices including optical filters, and methods ofmanufacturing optical filters. ound The propagation of light through complex tric systems has become the subject of intense research in the past few years. Among complex dielectric s quasicrystals, in particular quasicrystals of the Fibonacci type have attracted the interest of scientists due to their extraordinary characteristics in View of their interaction with light (Luca Dal Negro, 2003).

By the interaction with quasicrystals, in particular with rystals of the Fibonacci type, light with a well—defined polarization state and a well—defined angular— momentum distribution can be generated. This in turn offers the unity of a well- defined interaction of a thus generated light beam with matter, e.g., with biological tissue. [004} Light with a well—defined polarization state and a well-defined angular momentum distribution can be obtained by optical filters.

To make full use of the above=discussed opportunities} robust optical filters are required the optical properties of which do not degrade with time.

Summary According to one aspect of the present invention, an optical filter is provided. The optical filter may include a substrate made of a al including an optically transparent matrix al and nano-photonic material with icosahedral or dodecahedral symmetry dispersed in the matrix material.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a method of manufacturing an optical filter is provided. The method may include generating a liquid mixture ing the matrix material and the nano~photonic material suspended in the mixture, casting the mixture into a mold, fying the mixture in the mold, thereby forming the optical filter, and removing the optical filter from the mold.

Brief Description of the Drawing5 in the drawings, like reference characters generally refer to the same parts throughout the ent views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead generally being placed upon illustrating the principles of the ion. In the following description, various embodiments of the invention are described with nce to the following drawings, in which: Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of an irradiation device including an optical filter according to the present ion; Fig, 2 shows a portion of the optical filter; and Fig. 3 is a table showing the energy~symmetry relationship for the icosahedral group; Fig. 4A is a schematic illustration of linearly polarized light; Fig. 4B is a schematic illustration of the angular momentum distribution of the linearly polarized light shown in Fig. 4A; Fig. 5 is a schematic illustration of hyperpolarized light; Fig. 6 shows a spectrum of hyperpolarized light; Fig. 7 shows a spectrum of linearly polarized light after passage through an ordinary yellow filter; Fig. 8 shows the combined spectra of Figs. 6 and 7; Fig. 9 shows a schematic View ofa portion ofa collagen fibril; F i gs. 10A to 101) shows spectra obtained by optowmagnetic imaging spectroscopy (OM13) from the skin of left (up) and right (down) hands of test persons with an excellent (Fig. 10A), a very good (Fig. lOB), a rd (Fig. WC), and a andard (Fig. 10D) biophysical skin state; Fig. 1 1A shows an OMlS spectrum ofthe skin of the left hand of a test person with a standard biophysical skin state before the irradiatiori with ly polarized light; Fig. 1113 shows an OMIS Spectrum of the skin of the right hand of the test person with the standard biophysical skin state before the irradiation with hyperpolarized light; Fig. lZA shows an OM13 spectrum of the skin of the left hand of the test person with the standard sical skin state alter irradiation with linearly polarized light passed h an ordinary yellow filter; Fig. 12B shows an OMIS spectrum of the skin of the right hand of the test person with the standard biophysical skin state after irradiation with hyperpolarized light; Fig. 13A shows an OMIS spectrum of the skin of the left hand of a test person with a non-standard sical skin state before irradiation with linearly polarized light; Fi g. 13B shows an OM13 spectrum of the skin of the right hand of the test person with the non~standard sical skin state before the irradiation with hyperpolarized light; Fig. 14A shows an DMIS spectrum of the skin of the left hand of the test person with the nonwstandard biophysical skin state after irradiation with linearly polarized light passed through an ordinary yellow filter; Fig. 1413 shows an QMlS um of the skin of the right hand of the test person with the non—standard biophysical skin state after irradiation with hyperpolarized light; Fig. 15 shows a flow chart of an exemplary method of manufacturing an l filter; Fig. 16 shows ary steps involved in generating a liquid mixture including matrix material and nano—photonic material suspended in the mixture; and Figs. 17A-17D Show light spots of different kinds of light ted onto a screen. 2289;112:9211.

The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings that show, by way of illustration, Specific s and embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. {0010} The word "exemplary" is used herein to mean "serving as an example, instance, or illustration‘fi Any embodiment or design described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments or designs.

Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of an exemplary irradiation device 100. The irradiation device 100 may include alight source 102 and an optical filter 104. The light source 102 may be configured to emit a diffuse nonapolarized light beam 106, Le. a light beam including photons of different energies the polarization states of which are not correlated, to order to convert the non-polarized light beam 106 into a polarized light beam 108, the irradiation device 100 may r include a polarizing element llO positioned between the light source 102 and the optical filter l04. The polarizing t 110 is configured to pass light waves of a specific polarization and to block. light waves of other polarizations. in this way, the light passing h the zing element 110 has a well~defined polarization.

In an exemplary irradiation device, the polarizing element 110 may be configured as a linearly polarizing element 110, i.e., a polarizing element that converts the incident light beam 106 into a linearly polarized light beam 108. This is schematically indicated in Fig. 1. {0013] The linearly polarizing element 110 may be configured as an absorptive polarizer or a beam~splitting polarizer. In an absorptive polarizer, light waves with unwanted polarization states are absorbed by the zer. Beam splitting polarizers are configured to split the nt light beam into two light beams with different polarization states. [0014} Unlike absorptive polarizers, beam~splitting zers do not need to dissipate the energy of the light beam with the ed polarization state and are, hence, capable of handling light beams with high intensities.

Beam splitting into two beams with different polarization states may be implemented by reflection. When light reflects at an angle from an interface between two transparent materials, the reflectivity is different for light polarized in the plane of incidence and light polarized perpendicular to it. At a special angle of incidencea the entire reflected light is polarized in the plane perpendicular tn the plane of incidence.

This angle of incidence is known as Brewster's angle. A polarizer based on this polarization scheme is referred to as Brewster zer. in an exemplary ment, the linearly polarizing element 110 may be configured as a Brewster zer. In this way, a beam of linearly polarized light may be provided by a simple setup, and, as mentioned above, since no light energy has to be dissipated in the polarizing element i 10, the linearly polarizing element 110 is capable of handling large light intensities.

A portion of the optical filter 104 is schematically shown in Fig. 2. The optical filter 104 may include a substrate 112 made of a al including an optically arent matrix material H6 and hotonic material 118 with icosahedral or dodecahedral symmetry dispersed in the matrix material 1 16.

The nano-photonic material 118 may include nano~photonic particles 120 dispersed in the matrix material 1 16. The nano-photonic material l20 may include fullerene molecules such as C60 or higher fulierenes with icosaliedral/dodecahedral symmetry.

The nano—photonie material llS being sed in the matrix material ll6 means in this context that at least some of the nano-photonic particles l20 are embedded in the matrix material 1 l6, i.e. that they are entirely surrounded by the matrix material I 16. in an exemplary optical filter l04 most of the hotonic particles 120 or even all nano— photonic particles 120 are embedded in the matrix material 116. In an exemplary optical filter 104. the nanowphotonio material 118 is homogeneousiy distributed throughout the matrix material 116. [0020} Since the nano-photonie material 118 is dispersed in the matrix. al 116. it is highly efficientiy protected from al influences, thereby preventing the nation photonio content of the optical filter 10dr from ng with time which would inevitably alter the optical properties of the optical filter 104. in this way, a robust optical filter 104 with reliable l properties is provided.

The mass fraction of the nano—photonic material 118 in the substrate 112 may range from about 1103 to 0.3. in an exemplary embodiment, the mass fraction of the nano~photonic material 118 in the substrate 112 may be aboot 1.75‘10’3.

The matrix material 116 may be optically transparent in the Visible and/or the infrared ngth range.

The matrix material may include at least one of glass and plastic. The plastic may be a thermoplast. In an exemplary optical filter 104 the matrix material 116 may inciude or may be entirely made of poly(methyi methaorylate) (PMMA). PMMA is a strong and lightweight material- It has a density of 1.17—1.20 gfcmi which is less than half of the y of glass. In addition, PMMA has a, high transmittivity for light of up to 90% which is of special relevance for its employment as a matrix material 116 of an optical filter.

Turning now to the working principle of the optical filter 104. As previously mentioned, the nano—photonic material 118 may e enes such as C50. C60 is composed of 60 carbon atoms ordered in 12 pentagons and 20 hexagons.

WO 11420 C50 has two bond lengths. A first bond length is along the edges of two hexagons and the second bond length is between the edge of a n and a pentagon, the first bond length being greater than the second bond length. [£3026] C60 is a molecule that exhibits both classical and quantum mechanical properties (Markus Arndt et al, Wavewparticle duality, Science, Vol.40l, pp. 680—682, 1999). C59 has a er of about i run. C60 molecules rotate in the solid state, eg. in a crystal or a thin film, about 3" 10") times per second and in a solution about 1.81010 times per second.

The rotation of a C60 molecule is anisotropic (in all directions). C60 clusters are molecular crystal (quasicrystals) of the Fibonacci type.

Quasicrystals are non-periodic structures that are constructed following a simple deterministic rule. A Fibonacci quasicrystal is a deterministic aperiodic structure that is formed by stacking two different compounds A and B according to the cci generation : Sale—{83-1, SJ} forj 21, with SQ:{B} and S;={A.}. The lower order Sequences are Sg={BA}, S3:{ABA}, S4={BAABA} etc.

In addition to its spatial ure that is configured according to the Fibonacci scheme, C60 has also energy eigenstates that follow the Fibonacci scheme. The energy eigenstates together with the corresponding symmetry elements of C50 are ed in the multiplication table of Fig. 3. One of the crucial properties of C50 is based on the energy eigenstates T1 g, ng, T1": and Tgu for the symmetry ts C5, C32, Sm, and $103 that are consistent with the golden ratio.

In mathematics, two quantities are in the golden ratio @, if their ratio is the same as the ratio of their sum to the larger of the two quantities. (D can be expressed mathematically as (I) = (1+"\/5)/2 5: 1.62. [0030} By resonant emission of the above tates of C59, incident linearly polarized light is ormed into hyperpolarized light. More specifically, hyperpolarized light may be generated as a resonant emission of the energy eigenstates T1 g, T29 T1", and Tzu of Cm Photons with those energy states with symmetry C5, C52 and 8103 (Fig.3) are , 810 ordered not in linear plane but into curved level with angle that follow cci law ("sunflower").

The ences between linearly polarized light and hyperpolarized light will be subsequently explained with reference to Figs 4A, 4B and 5. [0032} Fig. 4A schematically rates the nature of linearly polarized light for three different ngths 122a, 122b, 122C which are aligned in straight adjacent planes parallel to the propagation direction. The photons are ordered by wavelength, however, not ordered in View of their r momenta (left and right). This is schematically shown in Fig. 4B. In Fig. 4B reference characters 124a and l24b denote s of different angular a. As can clearly be seen in Fig. 4B, the angular momenta of the photons in linearly polarized light are entirely diffuse.

Fig. 5 schematically illustrates the nature of hyperpolarized light 126, in Fig. 5, photons of numerous different wavelengths emanate from a central point 128 and are d by both wavelength and angular momentum along resoective spirals [0034} The spiral pattern of photons with different angular momenta is similar to a sunflower seed pattern. The Seeds in a sunflower are arranged in spirals, one set of spirals being left handed and one set of spirals being right handed. The number of right-handed spirals and the number of leftwhanded spirals are numbers in the Fibonacci series. The Fibonacci generation scheme was defined above with respect to quasicrystals. This generation scheme is derived from the fundamental Fibonacci series which is given by: 0, 1, l, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55... The next numbers in the Fibonacci series can be calculated by adding up the respective two preceding numbers in the series. The ratio of a number in the Fibonacci series to the immediately preceding number is given by the golden ration d). {0035] The number of the right—handed spirals and leftahanded spirals associated with angular momentum in hyperpolarized light shown in Fig. 5 is also determined by the cci series. More specifically, in Fig. 5, 21 left-handed and 34 right-handed spirals can be found, which are both numbers in the Fibonacci series. Hyperpolarized light is therefore also referred to as "golden light".

In addition, as can also he clearly seen in Fig. 5, in each spiral photons 1303, 130th 130c of different wavelength are linearly polarized in adjacent parallel planes.

Hyperpolarized light with the above characteristics is generated by the interaction of the linearly polarized light 108 generated by the polarizing element 110 with the nano— ic material I 18 t in the optical filter 104. More specifically, olarized light is generated by the interaction with the nano—photonic material 118 with icosahedral ry like C60 or nanonphotonic material with dodecahedral symmetry present in the optical filter 104.

The spectrum of light after passing through the l filter 104, i.e. of hyperpolarized light, is depicted in Fig. 6. The spectrum of linearly polarized light after g through a comparative ordinary yellow filter is shown in Fig, 7. Both spectra are depicted in the same plot in Fig. 8. In Fig. 8 reference numeral 13 la s the spectrum of hyperpolarized light and reference numeral lElb the um of linearly polarized light after passage through the ordinary yellow filter. {0039] The intensity distribution in Figs. 6 to 8 is ed for a wavelength range from about 200 nm to about I 100 nm, i.e. from the UV to the near infrared.

As shown in Figs. 6 and 8, the optical filter 104 sses ngths below about 400 nm and has a low transmittance in the blue wavelength range. The maximum transmittance of the optical filter H34 is at about 740 nm which is favorable for an efficient stimulation of ical tissue due to a higher penetration depth as compared to blue and ultraviolet light.

As shown in Figs. 7 and 8, the comparative ordinary yellow filter suppresses wavelengths below about 475 nm (ultraviolet and blue light). The maximum transmittance of the comparative ordinary yellow filter is at about 720 nm which is close to the wavelength of maximum transmittance of the optical filter 104. {0042] Even though the optical filter 104 according to the present invention and the comparative ordinary yellow filter have their maximum transmittance at a similar wavelength, the optical filter 104 according to the present ion has a higher integral transmittance in the red and infrared wavelength range from 660 to 1100 nm, as can clearly be seen in Fig. 8. [0043} Yet from this reason, an l filter 104 according to the present invention s a more efficient stimulation of biological tissue as compared to the comparative ordinary yellow filter. An even more important age of an optical filter 104 according to the present invention in View of biological tissue stimulation arises from its ability of generating hyperpolarized light, whose interaction with biological tissue, in 2016/063174 particular with coilagen, is, in contrast to linearly polarized light, mainly of quantum mechanical naturew [00441 Collagen is an extracellular protein and makes up about 30% of the human skin.

Collagen and water making up about 6045594; of the human skin are the main components of human skin. Therefore: the biophysical state of the human skin is mainly determined by the interaction between water and collagen.

Fig. 9 shows a schematic View of a n of a collagen, fibril 132 including a plurality of collagen les 134 shown as arrows. As can be seen in Fig. 9, the collagen molecules are arranged in a plurality of rows R1-«R6. The length L of an individual en le is about 300 nm. Adjacent en molecules 134 in immediately adjacent rows are displaced by a 67 nm gap G67. Immediately adjacent collagen les 134 in the same row are displaced by a 35 nm gap G35. [0046} The biophysical state of collagen is determined by the oscillation states of peptide planes. The oscillation of one peptide plane is determined by the oscillations of two neighboring peptide planes. The ratio of ation frequencies of neighboring planes is given by the golden ratio (i). Therefore, the oscillation or of the peptide planes of collagen can be influenced by photons ordered in View of their angular momenta according to the Fibonacci law, eg. by hyperpolarized light.

Collagen in the extracellular space is linked via lntegrin and Cytoskeloton proteins with the nucleus and} hence, with the DNA. Therefore, the opportunity exists to influence the cellular nucleus by means of hyperpolarized light by the intermediary of collagen in the extracellular space.

The influence of hyperpolarized light on the state of the human skin has been investigated with 30 test persons. Prior to exposing the skin of the test persons to olarized light, the skin states of left and right hands or" the test persons were characterized by opto~magnetic imaging spectroscopy (OMIS). Then, after exposing the skin of the test persons to hyperpolarized light and to linearly polarized light, as a ative example, for 10 minutes, the skin has been again characterized by OMlS to investigate the respective influences of ly polarized light and hyperpolarized light on the skin.

OMIS is a diagnostic technique based on the ction of electromagnetic radiation with e electrons within the sample material, capable of examining the electronic properties of the sample material. In this way, gnetic and diamagnetic properties of the sample material (unpaired/paired ons) can be obtained.

The physical background of OM18 will be shottly discussed in the following.

More details on OMlS can be found in D. Koruga et al., "Epidermal Layers Characterisation by Opto~Magnetic Spectroscopy Based on Digital Image of Skin", Acta Physics Polonica A, Vol. 121, No. 3, p. 606—610 (2012), or in D. Koruga et al. "Water Hydrogen Bonds Study by Opto-Magnetic Fingerprint", Acts Physics Polonica A, Vol. 117, No. S, p. 777~78l (2.010), or in L. Matija, "Nanophysical approach to diagnosis of epithelial s using Opto—magnetic g spectroscopy", p. 156—186 in "Nanornedicine", Eds. Alexander Seifalian, Achala del Mel and Deepak M. Kalaskar, ONE CENTRAL PRESS, Manchester, UK (2015), or in P.-O. Milena et al., "Opto- Magnetic Method for Epstein-Barr Virus and Cytomegalovirus Detection in Blood Plasma Samples" Acta Physics Polonica A, Vol. 117, No. 5, p. 782—785 (2010). [0051} Light as an electromagnetic wave has an electric and a magnetic wave perpendicular to each other. By polarizing light, the magnetic and electric waves can be split! One particular type of polarization occurs for light incident under the Brewster's angle which has been discussed above. This angle is characteristic for the materials present in the irradiated sampie. [0052} Since the electric component can be selectively detected, the magnetic component can be determined by subtracting the intensity of the reflected zed light (electric component) from the intensity of the reflected White light; From the thus ed magnetic component magnetic properties of the analyzed sample can be derived.

Typical spectra ed by OMIS e a plurality of positive and negative peaks, the negative peaks representing the diamagnetic properties of the sample material, while the positive peaks representing the paramagnetic properties of the sample material. [0054} The results of the characterizing measurements of the skin of left and right hands of the 30 test persons obtained by OM18 are shown in Figs. 10A to 10D. In these plots, the abscissa corresponds to the wavelength ence measured in am, and the te to the intensity in arbitrary units (an). In the upper plots of these figures the results for respective left hands are shown, while in the lower plots the results for respective right hands are shown.

Fig, 10A shows the s of a test person Whose skin is characterized as having " biophysical skin state due to the pronounced peaks an "excellen seen in this plots that are similar for both hands. The biophysical skin state of 4 test persons has been classified as "excellent".

WO 11420 Fig. 10B shows the s of a test person whose skin is characterized as having a "very good" biophysical skin state due to the still pronounced peaks seen in this plots that are similar for both hands. The biophysical skin state of 16 test persons has been classified as "very good". [0057} Fig. 10C shows the results of a test person whose skin is characterized as having a "standard" biophysical skin state. As can be seen in Fig. 10C, the peaks are less nced as compared to the excellent and very good states shown in Figs. 10A and 10B. In addition, there are significant differences between the spectra of both hands of the respective test person. The biophysical skin state of 8 test persons has been classified as "standard".

Flg. 10]) shows the results of a test person whose skin is characterized as having a "nomatandard" biophysical skin state. As can be seen in Fig. 10D, the peaks are less pronounced as compared to the excellent and very good states shown in Figs. 10A and 1013. In addition, there are very pronounced differences between the spectra. The biophysical skin state of 2 test persons has been classified as tandard".

Since the Spectra obtained from test persons having an excellent and a very good biophysical skin state are not suitable for a comparison between the effects achievable by the ation with linearly polarized and hyperpolarized light, since the biophysical skin state can hardly be improved, a detailed discussion will be subsequently given only with respect to test persons with a standard and non-standard biophysical skin state. [0fl60] Figs. 11A and 113 show OMIS spectra representing the biophysical skin state of the left and right hands. respectively, of a test person with a standard biophysical skin state before irradiation. Figs. 12A and 12B show OMIS a representing the 2016/063174 biophysical skin state of the left and right hands, respectively, of the test person with the standard biophysical skin state after irradiation with iinearly polarized and hyperpolarized light, tively. Fig. 12A shows an OM18 spectrum of the skin of the lefi hand after irradiation with linearly polarized light and Fig. 128 shows an DMES spectrum of the skin of the right hand after irradiation with hyperpolarized light.

The effect of linearly polarized light on the biophysical skin state of a test person with a standard biophysical skin state can be ed from a comparison of Figs. 11A and 12A.

As shown in these figures, the wavelength difference (WLD) of the peaks is similar before and after irradiation. This indicates that both the collagen and the water- collagen x in the skin of the tive test person are stable.

Regarding the peaks with a WLD of 1034,10 nor, there is a change in shape and intensity (from about ~43 to ~9.15 au.) that is indicative of a normal collagen gap of 35 run. {0064} Between a WLD of 1 l0~lZD nm a slight change in shape and intensity (from 6.25 to 10.94 an. and from 21.6 to 23.56 a.u.). There is also a slight shift of this peak from 121.4 to 119.1 run that indicates that the en-water complex is stable.

Between a WLD of l20«130 nm, the intensity of the peak changes from ~21 .7 to — 19.6 art. This indicates that the dynamics of the collagen gap of 67 nm is not satisfactory.

The effect of hyperpolarized light on the biophysical skin state of the test person with the standard biophysical skin state can be seen from a comparison of Figs. 11B and 123.

WO 11420 As shown in these figures, the wavelength difference (WLD) of the peaks is similar before and after irradiation. This tes that both the collagen and the water- collagen x in the skin of the respective test person are stable.

Regarding the peaks with a WLD of l03sl ‘10 nm, there is a huge change in shape and intensity (from about -l 1.0 to £0.25 an.) that is indicative of a very good dynamics of the collagen gap of35 nrn. {0669] Between a WLD of 110—120 nm there is no change in shape and intensity of the respective peak. The WLD of this peak is not changed, either, which is indicative of a very stable collage—water complex. [0(170} Between a WLD of 120-130 nm the intensity of the peak changes from ~21.4 to - .6 an. This indicates that the cs of the coilagen gap of 67 nm is good enough.

Figs. 13A and 138 show DMIS a representing the biophysical skin state of the left and right hands, respectively, of a test person with a non-standard biophysical skin state before irradiation. Figs. 14A and MB show OMIS spectra representing the biophysical skin state of the left and right hands, respectively, of the test person with the non-standard biophysical skin state after irradiation, wherein Fig. 14A shows the OMIS spectrum of the skin or" the left hand after irradiation with linearly polarized light and Fig. 14B shows the OM13 spectrum of the skin of the right arm after irradiation with hyperpolarized light.

The effect of linearly polarized light on the biophysical skin state of the test person with the non—standard biophysical skin State can be seen from a comparison of Figs. 13A and 14A.

WO 11420 2016/063174 [0073} As shown in these figures, the wavelength difference (WLD) of the peaks is similar before and after irradiation. This indicates that both the collagen and the water— collagen complex in the skin of the respective test person are unsatisfactory.

Regarding the peaks with a WLD of 103—110 nm there is a change in shape and intensity (from about ~82 to ~15 am), however, with a large WLD shift of 8 nm from 104 to 112 run that is indicative of an unsatisfactory dynamics of the collagen gap of 35 nm.

Between a WLD of 110~i20 nm there is a significant change both in shape and intensity (from 20.00 to 27.15 an). [0076} In addition, a new peak arises at a WLD of about 130 nm. Furthermore, there is a shift of the negative peak from 124.00 nm to 136.20 nm with a huge intensity difference from 49.4 to ~31.5 au. This is indicative of an unstable en-water complex. rmore, the WLD range is extended which indicative of an unsatisfactory dynamics of the coiiagen gap of 67 mm.

The effect of olarized tight on the biophysical skin state of the test person with the non-standard biophysicai skin state can be seen from a comparison of Figs. 13B and 1413.

As shown in these figures, there is a huge shift in wavelength difference (WLD) of 10 nm of the peaks before and after irradiation, This indicates that both the collagen and the water—coliagen complex in the skin of the respective test person are not stable. ing the peaks with a WLD of 103410 nm, there is a significant change of the spectrum leading to a pronounced positive and negative peak. This means that by the irradiation of the skin with hyperpoiarized a very good dynamics of the collagen gap of nm could he established 2016/063174 Between a WLD of 1i0-l20 nm, there is a huge WLD shift of 10 nm and the intensity and shapes of the peaks changed. This is indicative of an unstable collagen— water complex. rmore, the WLD ranges of the two right peaks are shifted from 123 nm to 132 nm and from 132 nm to 142 nm which is tive of an unsatisfactory dynamics of the collagen gap of 67 nm. [0081} These measurements show that by the irradiation of the skin of persons with a standard and non-standard biophysical skin state, the irradiation of the skin with hyperpolarized light achieves better results, in particular in the range of low WLD. [0082} The efficiency of the conversion of linearly polarized light into hyperpolarized light by the optical filter 104 is about 62% at present. Higher conversion ncies are expected to improve the above reSults.

Subsequently, a method of manufacturing an optical filter 104 according to the present invention will be discussed.

An exemplary method is shown in the exemplary flow diagram of Fig. 15. The method 200 may include: - generating a liquid mixture including the matrix al and the nano~photonic al with icosahedral or dodecahedral symmetry suspended in the mixture (202), —~ casting the liquid mixture into a mold (204), - solidifying the mixture in the mold, thereby forming the optical filter (206), and « removing the optical filter from the mold (208).

An exemplary flow diagram of generating a liquid mixture including the matrix material and the hotonic al suspended in the mixture (202) is shown in Fig. 16. The generating the liquid mixture may include: ~ providing a first iiquid premixture including the matrix material (202-1), ~ mixing the first premixture over a first period of time (202-62), - admixing hotonic material dissolved in a solvent to the first premixture, thereby forming a second ture ), and - mixing the second premixture over a second period of time, y evaporating the solvent and forming the liquid mixture including the matrix material and the nano- photonic material suspended in the mixture (202-4).

The nano-photonic material has icosahedral or dodecahedral symmetry and may include C50. The matrix material may include poly(methyi methacryiate) (PMMA).

The first premixture may include poly(methyl methacrylate) and methyl rylate (MMA). The weight fraction of PMMA in the first premixture may range from 0.7 to 0.9. The weight fraction of Mlle in the first premixture may range from 0.1 to 0.3w {0088] The first period of time may be about 24 hw The second period of time may be 96 h. The mixing of the second premixture may be carried out at an enhanced temperature, eg. 60-75 "C to support the ation of the solvent, eg. oftoluene, [0089} The solidifying the e in the mold may include heating up the mixture in the mold from a first temperature, eg. 250C, up to a second temperature, eg. 90°C, and then cooling down the mixture to a third temperature, eg. 25°C over a predetermined period of time. The predetermined period of time may be 120-140 h. By choosing such a high period of time, the generation of cracks in the thus formed optical filter can be efficiently prevented. [0090} In this way, plate—like blanks having exemplary dimensions of about 1200 x 1100 x 2.5 mm3 could be manufactured. From such a blank, optical filters having an exemplary diameter of 50 mm can be cut out.

In Figs. l7A-l7D, the projection of different kinds of light onto a screen is illustrated. in Fig. 17A, the screen is nated by ambient diffuse light.

In Fig. 1713. the screen is nated by a linearly—polarized light beam. As shown in Fig. 178, the projected light spot has a white core area attributable to the polarized content of the light beam. The core area is surrounded by a red ring representing partially polarized redushifted near-infrared light due to incomplete polarization. [0094} in Fig. 17C, the screen is illuminated by a light beam of linearly polarized light after passage through an ordinary yellow . As shown in this figure, the projected light spot has a white core area attributable to the linearly polarized content of the light beam. The core area is surrounded by yellow and red rings of lly polarized light due to impurities in the filter. {0095] in big. 17D, the screen is illuminated by a light beam of hyperpolarized light after passage through an l filter according to the present invention. Here, no pronounced inner white core area is visible, since the linearly polarized light has been transformed into olarized light. This appears as a red and yellow spot on the screen. [0096} in the following, various aspects of this disclosure will be illustrated: WO 11420 Example 1 is an optical filter. The optical filter may include a substrate made of a material including an optically transparent matrix material and nanomphotonic material with icosahedral or hedral symmetry dispersed in the matrix al.

In Example 2, the subject matter of Example 1 can optionally include that the nano—photonic material includes ene molecules.

In Example 3, the subject matter of Example 2 can optionally include that the nano-phctonic material includes C50 fullerene molecules.

In Example 4? the subject matter of any one of Examples 1 to 3 can optionally e that the matrix material is optically transparent in the visible and/or infrared frequency range.

In Example 5, the subject matter of any one of Examples 1 to 4 can optionally include that the matrix al includes at least one of glass and plastic.

In Example 6, the subject matter of e 5 can optionally include that the plastic is a thermoplast. {00103} In Example 7, the subject matter of Example 6 can optionally include that the thermoplast is pcly(methyl rylate).

In Example 85 the subject matter of any one of Examples 1 to 7 can optionally include that the mass fraction of the nano-photonic material in the substrate ranges from about 1‘10'3to 0.3. {00105} In Example 9, the subject matter of Example 8 can ally include that the mass fraction of the nano—photonic al is about 1.75‘10'3. [00106l Example 10 is an irradiation device. The irradiation device may include a light source and an optical filter of any one of Examples 1 to 9.

In Example I I, the t matter of Example 10 can optionally further e a polarizing element positioned between the light source and the optical filter.

In Example 12, the subject matter of Example ll can optionally e that the polarizing element is configured as a linearly zing element. in Example 13, the subject matter of e 12 can optionally include that the linearly zing element is configured as a Brewster polarizer.

Example 14 is a method of manufacturing an optical filter of any one of Examples 1 to 9, The method may include: generating a liquid mixture including the matrix material and the nano—photonic material with icosahedral or dodecahedral symmetry suspended in the mixture, g the mixture into a mold, solidifying the mixture in the mold, thereby forming the optical filter, and removing the optical filter from the mold. {00111} In Example 15, the subject matter of Example 14 can optionally include that the generating the liquid e includes: providing a first liquid premixture including the matrix material, mixing the first premixture over a first period of time, admixing nano—photonie material dissolved in a solvent to the first premixture, thereby forming a second turet and mixing the second premixture over a second period of time, thereby evaporating the solvent and forming the liquid mixture ing the matrix material and the nanovphotonie materiai suspended in the mixture, in Example 16, the t matter of any one of Examples 14 or 15 can optionally include that the mixing the second premixture is carried out at a temperature above room temperature. ] in Example 17, the t matter of any one of Examples 14 to 16 can optionally include that the nano~phctonic material includes C50 and/or higher fullerenes and/or other material with icosahedral and dodecahedral symmetry. 100114] in Examples 18, the subject matter of any one of Examples 14 to 17 can optionally include that the matrix material includes poly(methyl methacrylate). [801151 In Example 19, the subject matter of Example l8 can optionally include that the first premixture includes ethyl methacrylate) and methyl methacrylate.

In Example 20, the subject matter of Examples 19 can optionally include that the weight fraction of poly(rnethyl methacrylate) in the first premixture ranges from 0.7 to 0.9.

In Example 21, the subject matter of any one of Examples 19 or 20 can optionally include that the weight fraction of methyl methacrylate in the first premixture ranges from 0.1 to 0.3.

] In Example 22, the subject matter of any one of es 14 to 21 can ally e that the solidifying the mixture in the mold includes heating up the mixture in the mold from a first temperature to a second temperature, and subsequently cooling down the mixture from the second temperature to a third temperature {00119} While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to specific embodiments, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may he made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. The scope of the invention is thus indicated by the appended claims and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced

Claims (2)

Claims

1. A method of manufacturing an optical filter comprising a ate made of a material comprising an optically transparent matrix material and hotonic material with icosahedral or hedral symmetry dispersed in the matrix material, the method comprising: - generating a liquid e comprising the matrix material and t he nano-photonic material with icosahedral or hedral symmetry suspended in the mixture; - casting the mixture into a mold; - solidifying the mixture in the mold, thereby forming the optical filter; and - removing the optical filter from the mold, wherein the generating the liquid mixture comprises: - providing a first liquid ture comprising the matrix material; - mixing the first premixture over a first period of time; - admixing nano-photonic material dissolved in Toluene as a solvent to the first premixture, thereby forming a second premixture; and - mixing the second premixture over a second period of time at a temperature above room temperature, thereby evaporating the solvent and g the liquid mixture including the matrix material and the nano-photonic al suspended in the mixture, wherein the matrix material comprises poly(methyl methacrylate) and the first premixture comprises poly(methyl methacrylate) and methyl methacrylate, wherein the weight fraction of poly(methyl methacrylate) in the first premixture ranges from 0.7 to 0.9 and the weight fraction of methyl methacrylate in the first premixture ranges from 0.1 to 0.3, wherein the mass fraction of the nano-photonic material in the substrate ranges from 0.001 to 0.3, and wherein the nano-photonic material ses C60 and/or higher fullerenes.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the fying the mixture in the mold comprises heating up the mixture in the mold from a first temperature to a second temperature; and subsequently cooling down the mixture from the second temperature to a third temperature.