| CPC G02C 7/102 (2013.01) [B82B 3/0014 (2013.01); B82Y 20/00 (2013.01); G02C 7/107 (2013.01)] | 18 Claims |

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1. A method of preparing an optical element made of a transparent plastic with embedded nanoparticles, the method comprising:
a) activating the surface of the optical element by attaching sulfate groups to the surface, comprising immersing the optical element in an aqueous solution of sulfuric acid for a period of time at a maintained activation temperature range; and
b) exposing the activated surface to nanoparticles, and allowing the nanoparticles to diffuse into the optical element;
wherein a concentration of the sulfuric acid solution, the maintained activation temperature range, and the period of time are selected to:
i) activate the surface sufficiently to at least double a diffusion rate of the nanoparticles into the optical element compared to a diffusion rate of the nanoparticles into the optical element using a same protocol but without activating its surface; and
ii) not cause visible damage to the optical quality of the optical element.
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