Abstract: Methods and articles are provide for: a substrate having first and second opposing surfaces; an intermediate layer substantially covering the first surface of the substrate, the intermediate layer being between about 1-5 microns in thickness and having a hardness of at least 15 GPa; a first outer layer substantially covering the intermediate layer; and a second outer layer substantially covering the first outer layer, and having a hardness of at least 15 GPa.

Abstract: A method of coating a surface of a glass ribbon during a drawing process using atmospheric vapor deposition is provided. The method includes forming a glass ribbon in a viscoelastic state, desirably with a fusion draw. The glass ribbon is drawn in the viscoelastic state. The glass ribbon is cooled in the viscoelastic state into an elastic state. The glass ribbon is directed into an open end of a reactor. The reactor includes multiple channels. A first channel directs a first reactant gas, a second channel directs a second reactant gas and one or more third channels draw excess reactant, or purge it with inert gas flow, or both.

Abstract: Embodiments of this disclosure pertain to articles that exhibit scratch-resistance and improved optical properties. In some examples, the article exhibits a color shift of about 2 or less, when viewed at an incident illumination angle in the range from about 0 degrees to about 60 degrees from normal under an illuminant. In one or more embodiments, the articles include a substrate, and an optical film disposed on the substrate. The optical film includes a scratch-resistant layer and an optical interference layer. The optical interference layer may include one or more sub-layers that exhibit different refractive indices. In one example, the optical interference layer includes a first low refractive index sub-layer and a second a second high refractive index sub-layer. In some instances, the optical interference layer may include a third sub-layer.

Abstract: Embodiments of this disclosure pertain to articles that exhibit scratch-resistance and improved optical properties. In some examples, the article exhibits a color shift of about 2 or less, when viewed at an incident illumination angle in the range from about 0 degrees to about 60 degrees from normal under an illuminant. In one or more embodiments, the articles include a substrate, and an optical film disposed on the substrate. The optical film includes a scratch-resistant layer and an optical interference layer. The optical interference layer may include one or more sub-layers that exhibit different refractive indices. In one example, the optical interference layer includes a first low refractive index sub-layer and a second a second high refractive index sub-layer. In some instances, the optical interference layer may include a third sub-layer.

Abstract: One or more aspects of the disclosure pertain to an article including an optical film structure disposed on an inorganic oxide substrate, which may include a strengthened or non-strengthened substrate that may be amorphous or crystalline, such that the article exhibits scratch resistance and retains the same or improved optical properties as the inorganic oxide substrate, without the optical film structure disposed thereon. In one or more embodiments, the article exhibits an average transmittance of 85% or more, over the visible spectrum (e.g., 380 nm-780 nm). Embodiments of the optical film structure include aluminum-containing oxides, aluminum-containing oxy-nitrides, aluminum-containing nitrides (e.g., AlN) and combinations thereof. The optical film structures disclosed herein also include a transparent dielectric including oxides such as silicon oxide, germanium oxide, aluminum oxide and a combination thereof. Methods of forming such articles are also provided.

Abstract: Embodiments of this disclosure pertain to articles that exhibit scratch-resistance and improved optical properties. In some examples, the article exhibits a color shift of about 2 or less, when viewed at an incident illumination angle in the range from about 0 degrees to about 60 degrees from normal under an illuminant. In one or more embodiments, the articles include a substrate, and an optical film disposed on the substrate. The optical film includes a scratch-resistant layer and a refractive index gradient. In one or more embodiments, the refractive index includes a refractive index that increases from a first surface at the interface between the substrate and the optical film to a second surface. The refractive index gradient may be formed from a compositional gradient and/or a porosity gradient.

Abstract: Optically transparent diamond-like carbon (DLC) thin films are formed using relatively low-temperature deposition conditions followed by a post-deposition bleaching step. The bleaching can include exposure of an as-deposited thin film to UV laser radiation, which reduces the concentration of defects in the film. The method is compatible with temperature-sensitive substrates, and can be used to form water clear DLC layers on glass substrates, for example, which can be used in display applications.

Abstract: One or more aspects of the disclosure pertain to an article including a film disposed on a glass substrate, which may be strengthened, where the interface between the film and the glass substrate is modified, such that the article has an improved average flexural strength, and the film retains key functional properties for its application. Some key functional properties of the film include optical, electrical and/or mechanical properties. In one or more embodiments, interface exhibits the effective adhesion energy is about less than about 4 J/m2. In some embodiments, the interface is modified by the inclusion of a crack mitigating layer between the glass substrate and the film.

Abstract: A scratch-resistant glass substrate is prepared by forming a hard, scratch-resistant layer over a major surface of the substrate. The layer is formed from an inorganic material such as a metal oxide, metal nitride, metal carbide, or metal boride using, for example, physical vapor deposition such as reactive or non-reactive sputtering at a process temperature of less than 500° C. The inorganic layer is resistant to micro-ductile scratching, which can safeguard the visible appearance of the glass substrate in use. The glass substrate can include chemically-strengthened glass.

Abstract: Scratch-resistant glass substrates including a hard, scratch-resistant layer over a major surface of the substrate are disclosed. The layer may exhibit a hardness, as measured using a Berkovich indenter, of at least 10 GPa and an x-ray amorphous structure along at least a portion of the thickness of the layer. The layer may optionally exhibit an optical transparency of at least 70% and/or a compressive stress of at least 10 MPa.