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: 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.