Abstract: The invention includes a thin film optical coating having a layer comprising sol-gel derived niobium oxide which is capable of providing an index of refraction of at least about 1.90. The invention also includes a thin film optical coating having a layer comprising a sol-gel derived oxide system including niobium oxide and a second oxide component such as aluminum oxide and/or silicon oxide which is capable of providing an index of refraction of from about 1.60 to about 1.90. Also included in the present invention are processes for producing such thin film coatings. In the processes, a substrate is immersed in a mixture comprising niobium chloride and an alcohol, withdrawn from the mixture, and heat-treated. The mixture may also include aluminum precursors and/or silicon precursors. The heat-treatment may occur at various temperatures, including those under 200° C.

Abstract: The invention includes a bilayer antireflection coating, multilayer antireflection coatings, and a method for making a multilayer antireflective coated substrate. The bilayer and multilayer coatings include layers having metallic oxides, at least one layer in each of such coatings having as a material with an index of refraction at least about 1.90, a layer comprising oxides of zirconium such that when subjected to heat treatments, such as tempering, the coatings substantially retain their optical properties. The coatings further include layers having materials of low index of refraction which include oxides of aluminum which provide coating stability and increased precursor storage life. In the method, the layers are applied by successive dip coating techniques using solvent-based solutions and the resulting coatings can be used to coat large sized substrates which can be later cut, trimmed and/or otherwise shaped and later heat treated with substantial retention of optical properties.

Abstract: The invention includes a bilayer antireflection coating, multilayer antireflection coatings, and a method for making a multilayer antireflective coated substrate. The bilayer and multilayer coatings include layers having metallic oxides, at least one layer in each of such coatings having as a material with an index of refraction at least about 1.90, a layer comprising oxides of zirconium such that when subjected to heat treatments, such as tempering, the coatings substantially retain their optical properties. The coatings further include layers having materials of low index of refraction which include oxides of aluminum which provide coating stability and increased precursor storage life. In the method, the layers are applied by successive dip coating techniques using solvent-based solutions and the resulting coatings can be used to coat large sized substrates which can be later cut, trimmed and/or otherwise shaped and later heat treated with substantial retention of optical properties.

Abstract: An antireflective multilayer coating including a thin film optical coating as well as a method for producing such a coating are provided. The thin film optical coating includes a layer of sol-gel derived cerium oxide, silicon dioxide, and at least one oxide of a transition metal selected from Group IIIB through Group VIB of the Periodic Table which is capable of providing a refractive index of at least about 1.90. The thin film may optionally include colloidal gold particles. A method is provided for producing a thin film optical coating including a layer of sol-gel derived cerium oxide, silicon dioxide, and at least one oxide of a transition metal selected from Group IIIB through Group VIB of the Periodic Table by immersing a substrate in a solution comprising cerium nitrate hexahydrate, an alcohol and a chelating agent, withdrawing the substrate from the solution and heat treating the coated substrate to form the metal oxides.

Abstract: The invention includes a bilayer antireflection coating, multilayer antireflection coatings, and a method for making a multilayer antireflective coated substrate. The bilayer and multilayer coatings include layers having metallic oxides, at least one layer in each of such coatings having as a material with an index of refraction at least about 1.90, a layer comprising oxides of zirconium such that when subjected to heat treatments, such as tempering, the coatings substantially retain their optical properties. The coatings further include layers having materials of low index of refraction which include oxides of aluminum which provide coating stability and increased coating solution storage life. In the method, the layers are applied by successive dip coating techniques using solvent-based solutions and the resulting coatings can be used to coat large sized substrates which can be later cut, trimmed and/or otherwise shaped and later heat treated with substantial retention of optical properties.