Abstract: An optical coating structure applied to the surface of an object having scattering structures introduced to the basal, upper or middle layers of a multilayer reflector to cause a particular (calculated) degree of scattering, or to the surface of a black/colour pigmented object. The scattering structures are mainly sub-micron in size, and arranged in a pseudo-random or non-periodic manner. Consequently they serve only to broaden the angular range of the light reflected at the surface normal from a multilayer reflector, or to provide (actual and/or perceived) reduced reflectivity of a surface by deflecting incident light through the surface rather than away from it or by scattering otherwise beam-like (narrow-angle) reflections from a surface into a broad-angle reflection. The scattering structures can include profile elements, which are in the form of elongate bars having convexly curved sides or hemispherical rods, that are introduced to a basal layer of a multilayer reflector.

Abstract: An optical coaling structure is provided that when applied to a surface of an object to imparts a color to the object, the optical coating structure including: a base layer; a reflector on the base layer; and profile elements on the base layer under the reflector, the profile elements having a width and length which are each in the range of 5 to 500 ?m in size, and being arranged in non-periodic manner or a periodic manner. The reflector may be a multilayer structure of alternating dielectric materials. A method of forming the optical coating structure is also provided.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing and a surface microstructure that includes a surface; and a plurality of protrusions on the surface, where each of the protrusions has a width that changes along its length, where the protrusions are all oriented in substantially the same direction; and where the protrusions each have a length between 10 and 1000 ?m and a maximum width between 5 and 100 ?m.

Abstract: An optical coating structure applied to the surface of an object having scattering structures introduced to the basal, upper or middle layers of a multilayer reflector to cause a particular (calculated) degree of scattering, or to the surface of a black/colour pigmented object. The scattering structures are mainly sub-micron in size, and arranged in a pseudo-random or non-periodic manner. Consequently they serve only to broaden the angular range of the light reflected at the surface normal from a multilayer reflector, or to provide (actual and/or perceived) reduced reflectivity of a surface by deflecting incident light through the surface rather than away from it or by scattering otherwise beam-like (narrow-angle) reflections from a surface into a broad-angle reflection. The scattering structures can include profile elements, which are in the form of elongate bars having convexly curved sides or hemispherical rods, that are introduced to a basal layer of a multilayer reflector.

Abstract: An optical coating structure applied to the surface of an object having scattering structures introduced to the basal, upper or middle layers of a multilayer reflector to cause a particular (calculated) degree of scattering, or to the surface of a black/colour pigmented object. The scattering structures are mainly sub-micron in size, and arranged in a pseudo-random or non-periodic manner. Consequently they serve only to broaden the angular range of the light reflected at the surface normal from a multilayer reflector, or to provide (actual and/or perceived) reduced reflectivity of a surface by deflecting incident light through the surface rather than away from it or by scattering otherwise beam-like (narrow-angle) reflections from a surface into a broad-angle reflection. The scattering structures can include profile elements, which are in the form of elongate bars having convexly curved sides or hemispherical rods, that are introduced to a basal layer of a multilayer reflector.

Abstract: An optical coaling structure is provided that when applied to a surface of an object to imparts a colour to the object, the optical coating structure comprising: a base layer; a reflector on the base layer; and profile elements on the base layer under the reflector, the profile elements having a width and length which are each in the range of 5 to 500 nm in size, and being arranged in non-periodic manner or a periodic manner. The reflector may be a multilayer structure of alternating dielectric materials. A method of forming the optical coating structure is also provided.

Abstract: An optical coating structure is provided that when applied to a surface of an object to imparts a color to the object, the optical coating structure comprising: a base layer; a reflector on the base layer; and profile elements on the base layer under the reflector, the profile elements having a width and length which are each in the range of 5 to 500 ?m in size, and being arranged in non-periodic manner or a periodic manner. The reflector may be a multilayer structure of alternating dielectric materials. A method of forming the optical coating structure is also provided.

Abstract: An optical coating structure applied to the surface of an object having scattering structures introduced to the basal, upper or middle layers of a multilayer reflector to cause a particular (calculated) degree of scattering, or to the surface of a black/colour pigmented object. The scattering structures are mainly sub-micron in size, and arranged in a pseudo-random or non-periodic manner. Consequently they serve only to broaden the angular range of the light reflected at the surface normal from a multilayer reflector, or to provide (actual and/or perceived) reduced reflectivity of a surface by deflecting incident light through the surface rather than away from it or by scattering otherwise beam-like (narrow-angle) reflections from a surface into a broad-angle reflection. The scattering structures can include profile elements, which are in the form of elongate bars having convexly curved sides or hemispherical rods, that are introduced to a basal layer of a multilayer reflector.

Abstract: An optical coating structure is provided that when applied to a surface of an object to imparts a colour to the object, the optical coating structure comprising: a base layer; a reflector on the base layer; and profile elements on the base layer under the reflector, the profile elements having a width and length which are each in the range of 5 to 500 ?m in size, and being arranged in non-periodic manner or a periodic manner. The reflector may be a multilayer structure of alternating dielectric materials. A method of forming the optical coating structure is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical coating structure (10) applied to the surface of an object. “Scattering structures” are introduced to the basal, upper or middle layers of a multilayer reflector to cause a particular (calculated) degree of scattering, or to the surface of a black/color pigmented object to cause either enhanced transmission at the environment-object interface or omni-directional (as opposed to directional) reflections of which only a narrow portion can be observed. The scattering structures are mainly sub-micron in size, and arranged in a pseudo-random or non-periodic manner so as to prevent significant diffraction by themselves.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical coating structure (10) applied to the surface of an object. “Scattering structures” are introduced to the basal, upper or middle layers of a multilayer reflector to cause a particular (calculated) degree of scattering, or to the surface of a black/color pigmented object to cause either enhanced transmission at the environment-object interface or omni-directional (as opposed to directional) reflections of which only a narrow portion can be observed. The scattering structures are mainly sub-micron in size, and arranged in a pseudo-random or non-periodic manner so as to prevent significant diffraction by themselves.

Abstract: A security device comprises a substrate having a region provided with an antireflective grating, and is configured to generate a security image when visible light is incident on the grating to provide authentication for an observer, wherein the grating comprises a combined broadband antireflective and narrowband reflective structure, the structure is antireflective for visible light between 400 and 700 nm which is incident within ±45° of a normal to the grating and the structure produces a narrowband reflection of light having a wavelength of less than 550 nm at glancing angles to the grating when visible light is incident at an angle greater than ±45° from the grating normal, wherein the security device is configured to generate the security image from the narrowband reflection.

Abstract: A surface (30) suitable for promoting the formation of droplets of liquid (35) is provided comprising alternating regions of liquid repelling (32) and liquid attracting (33) material in at least one direction across the surface wherein the diameter of the droplets is controlled by the size of the smallest dimension of the liquid attracting material. The surface (30) may be textured and/or form a pattern. Also disclosed are a method and a system of collecting a liquid (35) carried by or condensed out of a vapor comprising passing a vapor across such a surface (30) and a method of purifying a liquid by passing a vapor containing droplets of a liquid over such a surface.

Abstract: A surface (30) suitable for promoting the formation of droplets of liquid (35) is provided comprising alternating regions of liquid repelling (32) and liquid attracting (33) material in at least one direction across the surface wherein the diameter of the droplets is controlled by the size of the smallest dimension of the liquid attracting material. The surface (30) may be textured and/or form a pattern. Also disclosed are a method and a system of collecting a liquid (35) carried by or condensed out of a vapour comprising passing a vapour across such a surface (30) and a method of purifying a liquid by passing a vapour containing droplets of a liquid over such a surface.

Abstract: A surface (30) suitable for promoting the formation of liquid (35) is provided comprising alternating regions of liquid repelling (32) and liquid attracting (33) material in at least one direction across the surface wherein the diameter of the droplets is controlled by the size of the smallest dimension of the liquid attracting material. The surface (30) may be textured and/or form a pattern. Also disclosed are a method and a system of collecting a liquid (35) carried by or condensed out of a vapour comprising passing a vapour across such a surface (30) and a method of purifying a liquid by passing a vapour containing droplets of a liquid over such a surface.

Abstract: A surface (30) suitable for promoting the formation of droplets of liquid (35) is provided comprising alternating regions of liquid repelling (32) and liquid attracting (33) material in at least one direction across the surface wherein the diameter of the droplets is controlled by the size of the smallest dimension of the liquid attracting material. The surface (30) may be textured and/or form a pattern. Also disclosed are a method and a system of collecting a liquid (35) carried by or condensed out of a vapour comprising passing a vapour across such a surface (30) and a method of purifying a liquid by passing a vapour containing droplets of a liquid over such a surface.