PixNIL high index nanocomposite materials with improved processability for large volume manufacturing

Pixelligent's high-refractive index PixNIL® nanocomposite formulations incorporating ZrO₂, TiO₂, or TiO₂-ZrO₂ coreshell nanoparticles showcase robust nanoimprinting capabilities for surface-relief gratings tailored for extended reality (XR) applications. Thin films exhibit refractive indices ranging from 1.7 to 2.0 @ 589 nm while delivering more than 95% transmission and less than 0.1% haze, attributed to the excellent control over particle size, shape, and surface of the proprietary PixClear® and PixCor™ nanocrystals. While the optical properties of Pixelligent's nanocrystal dispersions and formulations have been widely reported, less attention has been given to their excellent processability. For XR devices to realize mass market adoption, high yield, robust manufacturing processing, and excellent device reliability must be achieved. In this paper the processability of Pixelligent's already easy-to-use formulations is reported. PixNIL® ST13A provides a broad soft-bake process window for thin films with a thickness of less than 300nm. Furthermore, PixNIL® formulations extend the usable lifetime of working stamps to over 25 imprints. This paper presents a thorough evaluation of the novel nanoimprint formulation, ST13A, demonstrating significant advancements and introducing a new approach to address key challenges in nanoimprint technologies. The analysis encompasses crucial aspects of the nanoimprinting process, including replication fidelity and soft-bake process window.