Pellicle

Encyclopedia : P : PE : PEL : Pellicle

Pellicle may refer to several different items:

• The pellicle is a thin layer supporting the cell membrane in various protozoa, protecting them and allowing them to retain their shape. They vary from flexible and elastic to rigid. In ciliates and Apicomplexa, it is formed from closely packed vesicles called alveoli. In euglenids, it is formed from protein strips arranged spirally along the length of the body.

• In the same fashion, pellicle can also refer to the protective cover which can be applied to a photomask or reticle used by a stepper in semiconductor device fabrication. The pellicle protects the photomask from damage and dirt.

• A pellicle mirror is thin plastic membrane (often with an optical coating) which may be used as a beam splitter in optics and as a fixed mirror for single lens reflex cameras, e.g. A Pellicle, optically reflecting, acoustically transparent, is used in measuring the Acoustic Displacement in Ultrasonic.

• The term is also used to describe the netting on the seat of the Aeron modern office chair from Herman Miller.