Abstract: An optical coating on a transparent substrate is provided with a temporary layer of carbon as protection during manufacturing against scratches and corrosive environments. When the optical coating and/or substrate are tempered in an atmosphere reactive to carbon, such as air, the layer of carbon is removed as a carbon-containing gas. For an optical coating with a brittle, glassy, outermost layer furthest from the substrate, additional protection is provided by a scratch propagation blocker layer between the outermost layer and the carbon protective layer.

Abstract: A method of making an anti-reflective film comprises preparing a liquid composition with specific amounts of tetraethyl orthosilicate, polyethylene glycol, HCl, ethanol and at least one alcohol having a higher boiling point than ethanol and miscibility with both ethanol and water; applying the liquid composition onto a surface of a substrate to form a liquid film; evaporating the ethanol and the at least one alcohol from the liquid film to form a solid film; and heating the solid film to form a silica film.

Abstract: A sub-stoichiometric oxide, nitride or oxynitride layer in an optical stack, alone or in direct contact with one or two stabilizing layers, stabilizes the optical properties of the stack. The stabilizing layer(s) can stabilize the chemistry and optical properties of the sub-stoichiometric layer during heating. The change in optical characteristics of the sub-stoichiometric layer upon heating can counter the change in optical characteristics of the rest of the optical stack.

Abstract: The invention provides low-emissivity stacks comprising at least one absorbing layer, said stacks being characterized by a low solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC), enhanced aesthetics, mechanical and chemical durability, and a tolerance for tempering or heat strengthening. The invention moreover provides low-emissivity coatings comprising, in order outward from the substrate a first dielectric layer, a first Ag layer; a first barrier layer; a first absorbing layer; a second dielectric layer; a second Ag layer; a second absorbing layer; a third dielectric layer; and optionally, a topcoat layer, and methods for depositing such coatings on substrates.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the reflectance properties of an object having a front reflecting surface and at least one back reflecting surface. The apparatus includes a sample stage for placement of the object, a light source, a detector configured to detect reflected light from the object, and a positioning device configured to provide a plurality of angular positions for the light source and the detector relative to the object on the sample stage such that incident light on the object is specularly reflected towards the detector and the reflected light received at the detector includes a front surface reflection from the object and at least one back surface reflection from the object.

Abstract: A low-emissivity multilayer coating includes, in order outward from the substrate, a first layer including a layer containing titanium oxide, a layer containing silicon nitride, or a sublayer layer containing titanium oxide in combination with a sublayer containing silicon nitride; a second layer including Ag; a third layer including at least one layer selected from titanium oxide layers and silicon nitride layers; a fourth layer including Ag; and a fifth layer including silicon nitride. The color of the coatings can be varied over a wide range by controlling the thicknesses of the layers of titanium oxide, silicon nitride and Ag. A diffusion barrier of oxidized metal protects relatively thin, high electrical conductivity, pinhole free Ag films grown preferentially on zinc oxide substrates. Oxygen and/or nitrogen in the Ag films improves the thermal and mechanical stability of the Ag.

Abstract: An apparatus which can acquire, readout and perceive a scene based on the insertion, or etching of photosensitive elements into or on a transparent or semi-transparent substrate such as glass. The substrate itself acts as the optical device which deflects the photons incident to the reflected image into the photosensitive elements. Photosensitive elements are interconnected together by a transparent or opaque wiring. A digital neural memory can be trained to recognize specific scenery such as a human face, an incoming object, a surface defect, rain drops on a windshield and more. Other applications include image-perceptive car headlight and flat panel display detecting and identifying the viewer's behavior (gaze tracking, face recognition, facial expression recognition and more). Yet another application includes sliding doors perceiving the direction and speed of an individual coming towards that door.

Abstract: The energy-free refrigeration door of the present application provides a way to control condensation when the door of a refrigeration unit is opened by providing thermal insulation to the door with glass panels which have a low emissivity coating. The door includes a door frame housing and an insulating glass unit comprising inner, middle and outer sheets of glass. A first sealant assembly disposed around the periphery of the inner and middle sheets of glass forms a first chamber between the inner and middle sheets of glass. A second sealant assembly disposed around the periphery of the middle and outer sheets of glass forms a second chamber between the middle and outer sheets of glass. A gas, such as krypton, air, or argon is held in the first and second chambers. The outer sheet of glass and inner sheet of glass each have an unexposed surface that faces the middle sheet of glass.

Abstract: A spacer assembly is disclosed having a spacer with a cross-section varying in a repeating manner along a longitudinal axis and an adhesive sealant at least partially encapsulating the spacer. Also, a moisture vapor barrier may be provided as well as a desiccated topcoat.

Abstract: A low-emissivity multilayer coating includes, in order outward from the substrate, a first layer including a layer containing titanium oxide, a layer containing silicon nitride, or a sublayer layer containing titanium oxide in combination with a sublayer containing silicon nitride; a second layer including Ag; a third layer including at least one layer selected from titanium oxide layers and silicon nitride layers; a fourth layer including Ag; and a fifth layer including silicon nitride. The color of the coatings can be varied over a wide range by controlling the thicknesses of the layers of titanium oxide, silicon nitride and Ag. A diffusion barrier of oxidized metal protects relatively thin, high electrical conductivity, pinhole free Ag films grown preferentially on zinc oxide substrates. Oxygen and/or nitrogen in the Ag films improves the thermal and mechanical stability of the Ag.

Abstract: The present invention provides a scratch protecting layer comprising a metal, metal alloy, metal compound or an intermetallic layer deposited on an air contacting surface. The scratch protecting layer is typically from 1 to 3 nanometers thick and not optically absorbing after oxidation occurs. This layer is initially deposited in a primarily unoxidized or un-nitrided state. Full oxidation of the metal, metal alloy, metal compound or intermetallic layer occurs within several days after exposure to air. The scratch protection layer can be 2 to 5 nanometers thick if the layer is exposed to a plasma, electrical discharge or ion beam comprising a reactive gas such as oxygen or nitrogen.

Abstract: A spacer assembly is disclosed having a spacer with a cross-section varying in a repeating manner along a longitudinal axis and an adhesive sealant at least partially encapsulating the spacer. Also, a moisture vapor barrier may be provided as well as a desiccated topcoat.

Abstract: A silicon oxycarbide coating remains hydrophilic for a significantly longer period of time, on the order of several months, when both (i) the coating index of refraction is 1.70 or more and (ii) the coating thickness is 350 ? or more.

Abstract: An optical coating on a transparent substrate is provided with a temporary layer of carbon as protection during manufacturing against scratches and corrosive environments. When the optical coating and/or substrate are tempered in an atmosphere reactive to carbon, such as air, the layer of carbon is removed as a carbon-containing gas. For an optical coating with a brittle, glassy, outermost layer furthest from the substrate, additional protection is provided by a scratch propagation blocker layer between the outermost layer and the carbon protective layer.

Abstract: An oxidizable metal silicide or metal aluminide is used as one of the outer layers of an optical coating to provide a corrosion and scratch resistant barrier. This layer is initially deposited in an unoxidized or partially oxidized state. In this chemical state it provides corrosion protection to the layers underneath. The metal compound or intermetallic layer has hardness properties greater than most metals and therefore provides significant scratch protection.

Abstract: A sub-stoichiometric oxide, nitride or oxynitride layer in an optical stack, alone or in direct contact with one or two stabilizing layers, stabilizes the optical properties of the stack. The stabilizing layer(s) can stabilize the chemistry and optical properties of the sub-stoichiometric layer during heating. The change in optical characteristics of the sub-stoichiometric layer upon heating can counter the change in optical characteristics of the rest of the optical stack.

Abstract: An hand application tool for laying a sealant spacer strip along a glass sheet for forming insulating glass units having a handle with first and second ends; a base having freely rotatable rollers connected to the first end of the handle; and a housing connected to the first end of said handle and to the base the housing having a positioning roller, at least one guide pin and a housing roller wherein the at least one guide pin and the housing roller form a guideway for deploying the adhesive strip and the housing roller provides pressure for applying the sealant spacer strip onto the glass sheet.

Abstract: The energy-free refrigeration door of the present application provides a way to control condensation when the door of a refrigeration unit is opened by providing thermal insulation to the door with glass panels which have a low emissivity coating. The door includes a door frame housing and an insulating glass unit comprising inner, middle and outer sheets of glass. A first sealant assembly disposed around the periphery of the inner and middle sheets of glass forms a first chamber between the inner and middle sheets of glass. A second sealant assembly disposed around the periphery of the middle and outer sheets of glass forms a second chamber between the middle and outer sheets of glass. A gas, such as krypton, air, or argon is held in the first and second chambers. The outer sheet of glass and inner sheet of glass each have an unexposed surface that faces the middle sheet of glass.

Abstract: A method is provided for making transparent articles utilizing protective layers for optical coatings. An optical coating on a transparent substrate is provided with a temporary layer of carbon as protection during manufacturing against scratches and corrosive environments. When the optical coating and/or substrate are tempered in an atmosphere reactive to carbon, such as air, the layer of carbon is removed as a carbon-containing gas. For an optical coating with a brittle, glassy, outermost layer furthest from the substrate, additional protection is provided by a scratch propagation blocker layer between the outermost layer and the carbon protective layer.

Abstract: An hand application tool for laying a sealant spacer strip along a glass sheet for forming insulating glass units having a handle with first and second ends; a base having freely rotatable rollers connected to the first end of the handle; and a housing connected to the first end of said handle and to the base the housing having a positioning roller, at least one guide pin and a housing roller wherein the at least one guide pin and the housing roller form a guideway for deploying the adhesive strip and the housing roller provides pressure for applying the sealant spacer strip onto the glass sheet.