Abstract: Thin film structure having magnetic properties and optically variable properties comprising a substrate and a multilayer interference coating carried by the substrate producing an inherent color shift with angle. The interference coating has a metal-dielectric design which includes a metal which has magnetic as well as reflective properties.

Abstract: A coating useful for a solar cell is formed by concurrent deposition of two materials, such as silicon dioxide and magnesium fluoride, on a substrate within a single vacuum chamber. The deposition is monitored to enable control of the ratio of the materials and the thickness of the coating. An alternative embodiment of a coating employs alternating layers of different materials which form pairs or periods, each having a very small optical thickness. By virtue of the coatings, emissivity is enhanced by suppression of the reststrahlen reflectance and solar absorption is reduced by external reflection of the ultraviolet portion of the solar spectrum.

Abstract: Thin film optical variable article to be used in a reflection mode having a gold to green color shift with angle for currency authentication and adapted to be carried by a substantially opaque currency sheet which serves as a substrate. The article includes a substantially transparent, optically thick element carrying a subtractive colorant and having first and second surfaces and a multilayer interference coating carried on one of said first and second surfaces. The article is adapted to be carried by the currency sheet so that the coating faces the currency sheet and the colorant carrying element serves as a superstrate facing the incident light. The multilayer interference coating is comprised of a substantially opaque layer of aluminum nearest the substrate, followed by a layer of magnesium fluoride, and then by a layer of chromium having substantial transmission. The colorant has a yellow hue.

Abstract: A substrate holder is mounted within the vacuum chamber for carrying at least one substrate; an electrically conductive crucible is positioned within said vacuum chamber and is electrically insulated therefrom but has a low electrical resistance connection therebetween. The crucible is adapted to contain a preselected material for evaporation onto a substrate on the substrate holder. A high voltage electron beam source is positioned within said vacuum chamber in the vicinity of said crucible and includes a high voltage electron gun and a deflection magnet system arranged for bending electrons from said gun into said crucible for evaporating the preselected material therein, the magnet system forms a magnet field of prearranged characteristics in the region above said crucible.

Abstract: A structure that provides suppression of reflectance of radiation and thus enhanced emissivity is fabricated with a substrate that supports alternating absorber and spacer layers with interleaved antireflectance coatings formed of thin films of different materials having different indices of refraction. Alternate antireflectance coatings are mirror images of the prior deposited antireflectance coatings.

Abstract: Tamper evident optically variable device comprising an optically variable device having at least first and second layers with a spacer layer therebetween providing a color shift with change in viewing angle. A release layer is disposed between the first and second layers to permit the first and second layers to be separated from each other and to thereby destroy the optical shifting properties of the optically variable device.

Abstract: Thin film optical variable article to be used in a reflection mode having a gold to green color shift with angle for currency authentication and adapted to be carried by a substantially opaque currency sheet which serves as a substrate. The article includes a substantially transparent, optically thick element carrying a subtractive colorant and having first and second surfaces and a multilayer interference coating carried on one of said first and second surfaces. The article is adapted to be carried by the currency sheet so that the coating faces the currency sheet and the colorant carrying element serves as a superstrate facing the incident light. The multilayer interference coating is comprised of a substantially opaque layer of aluminum nearest the substrate, followed by a layer of magnesium fluoride, and then by a layer of chromium having substantial transmission. The colorant has a yellow hue.

Abstract: Thin film optically variable article having substantial color shift with varying angle of light incidence and viewing and including an optically thick, substantially transparent element carrying a colorant and having first and second surfaces. A multilayer interference coating is carried on one of said first and second surfaces. The colorant serves to modify in essentially a subtractive mode the color at normal incidence and the color shift with angle of the multilayer interference coating as seen by reflection or transmission.

Abstract: Flexible polymer packaging films having thin films of inorganic coatings deposited thereon to reduce the vapor permeability of the article. Inorganic thin film coatings comprising a composite of two materials are disclosed to confer both substantial transparency and retortability on the overall packaging film structure. The two material film composite involves either sequentially deposited films with the first thin film layer serving as an adhesion layer and the second thin film layer serving as a barrier layer. Alternatively, the two materials may be co-deposited to form a single thin film layer which provides sufficient adhesion to confer retortability on the overall film structure and also functions as relatively impermeable gas and vapor barrier for reducing the vapor transmission rate through the product. Various coated single film articles and dual film laminated articles are disclosed.

Abstract: Scattermeter for evaluating the surface quality of an optical element made from a material that has bulk scattering of light by measuring the light scattering from the surface while disregarding the bulk scatter, with the surface scatter being distinguished from the bulk scatter by their different polarization characteristics. The scattermeter is comprised of an illuminator optic providing an intense, substantially collimated light beam with a controlled variable state of polarization illuminating a defined area of the surface of said optical element. It is also comprised of a collector optic with a controlled field of view limited to an area substantially equal to the area illuminated by said illuminator optic, a polarization sensitive optical modulator, a photoelectric detector, a demodulating amplifier, and a readout device.

Abstract: A coated article useful in high temperature environments substantially in excess of 500.degree. C. comprising a substantially transparent substrate formed of a material adapted to withstand said high temperature environment and an optical coating formed on one surface of said substrate and comprising a first set of layers consisting at least primarily of silicon dioxide and a second set of layers consisting at least primarily of tantalum pentoxide. The optical coating comprises an interference filter formed of alternating layers of fused silica and tantalum pentoxide. A halogen cycle lamp with visible light transmitting, IR reflecting filter formed on the outside surface of the lamp envelope improves energy efficiency by at least twenty-five percent.

Abstract: An analyzer for analyzing the surface of an object which is substantially opaque to ultraviolet light. The analyzer includes a substantially light-tight housing having an aperture therein for viewing the surface of the object to be analyzed. An illuminator is carried by the housing and includes a source of ultraviolet light and an optical imaging device for directing light from the source through the aperture and onto the surface of the object to illuminate the surface of the object. A collector is carried by the housing including a sensor responsive to ultraviolet light and an optical imaging device for receiving ultraviolet light from the surface through the aperture and directing it onto the sensor.

Abstract: Solar insulating window film comprising a sheet of substantially transparent flexible polymer thin film plastic material having first and second surfaces. First, second and third layers are adherent to the first surface of the film. The second layer is formed of copper. The first layer is formed of a material which possesses substantially the same nobility as copper or is inert to copper. The first layer counting from the first surface is formed of a material selected from nickel and palladium and oxides and sulfides thereof. The third layer counting from the first surface is formed of a material selected from nickel, palladium and chromium and oxides and sulfides thereof.

Abstract: Article having improved reflectance suppression comprising a substrate formed of a material having a reststrahlen band and having at least one surface and a coating carried by said one surface. The coating comprises at least one period with each period consisting of a spacer layer and an absorber layer. The spacer layer is formed of a material having a low index of refraction and has an optical thickness ranging from approximately one quarter of a wavelength and less. The spacer layer also has low absorption in the visible region of the spectrum. The absorber layer is formed of a material which has substantial absorption near the reststrahlen band. The absorber layer has a complex index of refraction as a function of wavelength which is relatively close to the index of refraction of the substrate.

Abstract: An energy control sheet, including a highly transparent substructure having first and second surfaces, a substantially transparent, thin film metal layer formed on one surface of the substructure, and a highly transparent thin film dielectric layer formed over said metal layer. The dielectric layer comprises a mixed metal oxide layer having metal constituents of at least one lanthanide series metal (e.g. cerium oxide) and at least one transition or semiconductor metal (e.g. tin oxide). The dielectric layer is characterized by substantial water vapor impermeability so that the weatherability of the energy control sheet is substantially improved. The metal layer is either a silver layer or a silver-palladium alloy.

Abstract: Flatness testing apparatus for testing the flatness of a surface of a body of material a source of substantially monochromatic light for producing a light beam. First and second reticles are provided which are capable of passing the light beam. Means is provided for sensing light from the light source after it has passed through the reticles. An objective lens is provided which is adapted to be disposed adjacent the surface of the body of material. A first lens is provided in front of the source of light for imaging the source of light onto the objective lens and a second lens is provided in front of the means for sensing light for imaging the objective lens onto the means for sensing light. A mirror is provided for receiving light from the light beam after it has passed through the first reticle and for reflecting light through the second reticle to the light sensing means.

Abstract: Flexible selective energy control sheet construction formed of a sheet of substantially transparent polymer thin film plastic material having first and second surfaces. A substantially transparent continuous adhesion promoting layer is adherent to the second surface of the sheet. A substantially transparent metal layer is adherent to the adhesion promoting layer and a protective layer is adherent to the metal layer. The metal layer is selected from the materials of copper and silver.

Abstract: Flexible selective energy control sheet construction formed of a sheet of substantially transparent polymer thin film plastic material having first and second surfaces. A substantially transparent continuous adhesion promoting layer is adherent to the second surface of the sheet. A substantially transparent metal layer is adherent to the adhesion promoting layer and a protective layer is adherent to the metal layer. The metal layer is selected from the materials of copper and silver.

Abstract: Reciprocal optical system for use in an optical disc reader of the type having a laser beam and being capable of receiving optical data disc having information recorded thereon and a detector for detecting the laser beam. At least one polarizing mirror is provided and at least one converting mirror for producing a 90.degree. phase shift is provided. At least one polarizing mirror and at least one converting mirror, and the laser beam are positioned relative to the optical disc to provide from the laser beam an outgoing beam which impinges upon said at least one polarizing mirror and thereafter upon said at least one converting mirror in its travel to the optical disc and is reflected to provide a returning beam which impinges upon said at least one converting mirror and thereafter on said at least one polarizing mirror and then onto the detector.

Abstract: Articles and methods for forming thin film flakes and replicated coatings having preselected optical properties. The articles generally comprise a flexible web of material and an optical coating formed on one surface of the web. Web materials having the characteristic of being soluble in a preselected liquid enable production of optical paint and optical paint flakes by dissolving the web away from the coating in a container of the liquid and enable the production of replicated optical coating by securing the coating to a substrate and then dissolving the web away from the coating.