Abstract: An optical filter having a passband at least partially overlapping with a wavelength range of 800 nm to 1100 nm is provided. The optical filter includes a filter stack formed of hydrogenated silicon layers and lower-refractive index layers stacked in alternation. The hydrogenated silicon layers each have a refractive index of greater than 3 over the wavelength range of 800 nm to 1100 nm and an extinction coefficient of less than 0.0005 over the wavelength range of 800 nm to 1100 nm.

Abstract: A diode-pumped laser with a direct edge coupling of a pump beam is provided. The laser includes a microchip laser cavity optically pumped by a laser diode emitting an astigmatic pump beam having a substantially elliptical beam cross-section at an output laser diode facet. The microchip laser cavity is disposed at a substantial distance exceeding 0.001? from the laser diode pump where the astigmatic pump beam has a greatly reduced ellipticity, providing high laser output efficiency without coupling lens element between the laser cavity and the laser diode pump. The pumping arrangement is favourable for single-mode lasing. In some embodiments, the laser cavity includes nonlinear crystal for intra-cavity SHG, a saturable absorber for passive Q-switching and mode locking, and a polarizing prism.

Abstract: Multilayer chromatic diffractive pigment flakes and foils are provided having diffractive structures thereon. The diffractive pigment flakes can have a symmetrical stacked coating structure on opposing sides of a reflective core layer, an asymmetrical stacked coating structure on one side of a reflective layer, or can be formed with one or more encapsulating coatings around the reflective core layer. The diffractive pigment flakes can be interspersed into liquid media such as paints or inks to produce diffractive compositions for subsequent application to a variety of objects. The foils can be laminated to various objects or can be formed on a carrier substrate. The diffractive pigment flakes and foils can be formed with a variety of diffractive structures thereon to produce selected optical effects.

Abstract: Diffractive pigment flakes include single layer or multiple layer flakes that have a diffractive structure formed on a surface thereof. The multiple layer flakes can have a symmetrical stacked coating structure on opposing sides of a reflective core layer, or can be formed with encapsulating coatings around the reflective core layer. The diffractive pigment flakes can be interspersed into liquid media such as paints or inks to produce diffractive compositions for subsequent application to a variety of objects. The diffractive pigment flakes can be formed with a variety of diffractive structures thereon to produce selected optical effects.

Abstract: Achromatic multilayer diffractive pigment flakes and foils are provided having diffractive structures thereon. The diffractive pigment flakes can have a symmetrical stacked coating structure on opposing sides of a reflective core layer, an asymmetrical stacked coating structure on one side of a reflective layer, or can be formed with one or more encapsulating coatings around the reflective core layer. The diffractive pigment flakes can be interspersed into liquid media such as paints or inks to produce diffractive compositions for subsequent application to a variety of objects. The foils can be laminated to various objects or can be formed on a carrier substrate. The diffractive pigment flakes and foils can be formed with a variety of diffractive structures thereon to produce selected optical effects. The diffractive foils and diffractive compositions applied to an object exhibit an iridescent diffractive effect over an achromatic background.

Abstract: Diffractive pigment flakes include single layer or multiple layer flakes that have a diffractive structure formed on a surface thereof. The multiple layer flakes can have a symmetrical stacked coating structure on opposing sides of a reflective core layer, or can be formed with encapsulating coatings around the reflective core layer. The diffractive pigment flakes can be interspersed into liquid media such as paints or inks to produce diffractive compositions for subsequent application to a variety of objects. The diffractive pigment flakes can be formed with a variety of diffractive structures thereon to produce selected optical effects.

Abstract: Interference pigment flakes and foils are provided which have luminescent and color-shifting properties. The pigment flakes can have a symmetrical coating structure on opposing sides of a core layer, can have an asymmetrical coating structure with all of the layers on one side of the core layer, or can be formed with encapsulating coatings around the core layer. The coating structure of the flakes and foils includes a core layer, a dielectric layer overlying the core layer, and an absorber layer overlying the dielectric layer. A luminescent material is incorporated into the flakes or foils as a separate layer or as at least part of one or more of the other layers. The pigment flakes and foils exhibit a discrete color shift so as to have a first color at a first angle of incident light or viewing and a second color different from the first color at a second angle of incident light or viewing.

Abstract: A linear aperture deposition apparatus and process are provided for coating substrates with sublimed or evaporated coating materials. The apparatus and process are particularly suited for producing flexible films having an optical interference coating with a very high surface thickness uniformity and which is substantially free of defects from particulate ejection of a source material. The apparatus includes a source box containing a source material, a heating element to sublime or evaporate the source material, and a chimney to direct the source material vapor from the source box to a substrate. A flow restricting baffle having a plurality of holes is positioned between the source material and the substrate to confine and direct the vapor flow, and an optional floating baffle is positioned on the surface of the source material to further restrict the vapor flow, thereby substantially eliminating source material spatter.

Abstract: Methods for fabricating a color shifting multilayer interference film are provided. The interference film may be used to produce flakes for use in colorants having color shifting properties. The flakes can be interspersed into liquid media such as paints or inks which can subsequently be applied to objects or papers to achieve color variations upon shifts in angle of incident light or upon shifts in viewing angle. A five layer design of the interference film includes a first absorber layer, a first dielectric layer on the first absorber layer, a reflector layer on the first dielectric layer, a second dielectric layer on the reflector layer, and a second absorber layer on the second dielectric layer. The first and second dielectric layers are formed to have an optical thickness at a design wavelength that provides a color shift as the angle of incident light or viewing changes.

Abstract: A color shifting multilayer interference film is provided which may be used to produce flakes for use in colorants having color shifting properties. The flakes can be interspersed into liquid media such as paints or inks which can subsequently be applied to objects or papers to achieve color variations upon shifts in angle of incident light or upon shifts in viewing angle. A five layer design of the interference film includes a first absorber layer, a first dielectric layer on the first absorber layer, a reflector layer on the first dielectric layer, a second dielectric layer on the reflector layer, and a second absorber layer on the second dielectric layer. The first and second dielectric layers are formed to have an optical thickness at a design wavelength that provides a color shift as the angle of incident light or viewing changes.

Abstract: A color shifting multilayer interference film is provided which may be used to produce flakes for use in colorants having color shifting properties. The flakes can be interspersed into liquid media such as paints or inks which can subsequently be applied to objects or papers to achieve color variations upon shifts in angle of incident light or upon shifts in viewing angle. A five layer design of the interference film includes a first absorber layer, a first dielectric layer on the first absorber layer, a reflector layer on the first dielectric layer, a second dielectric layer on the reflector layer, and a second absorber layer on the second dielectric layer. A three layer design of the interference film includes first and second absorber layers with a dielectric layer therebetween. The dielectric layers are formed to have an optical thickness at a design wavelength that provides a color shift as the angle of incident light or viewing changes.

Abstract: A linear aperture deposition apparatus and process are provided for coating substrates with sublimed or evaporated coating materials. The apparatus and process are particularly suited for producing flexible films having an optical interference coating with a very high surface thickness uniformity and which is substantially free of defects from particulate ejection of a source material. The apparatus includes a source box containing a source material, a heating element to sublime or evaporate the source material, and a chimney to direct the source material vapor from the source box to a substrate. A flow restricting baffle having a plurality of holes is positioned between the source material and the substrate to confine and direct the vapor flow, and an optional floating baffle is positioned on the surface of the source material to further restrict the vapor flow, thereby substantially eliminating source material spatter.

Abstract: A color shifting multilayer interference film is provided which may be used to produce flakes for use in colorants having color shifting properties. The flakes can be interspersed into liquid media such as paints or inks which can subsequently be applied to objects or papers to achieve color variations upon shifts in angle of incident light or upon shifts in viewing angle. A five layer design of the interference film includes a first absorber layer, a first dielectric layer on the first absorber layer, a reflector layer on the first dielectric layer, a second dielectric layer on the reflector layer, and a second absorber layer on the second dielectric layer. The first and second dielectric layers are formed to have an optical thickness at a design wavelength that provides a color shift as the angle of incident light or viewing changes.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to method for manufacturing electrochromic devices using laser ablation techniques. More specifically, the present invention uses laser ablation to provide a simple, noncontact method of patterning electrochromic devices to a controlled depth, to form an electrochromically active area. Furthermore, laser patterning is conducive to the formation of multiple electrochromic devices on a single substrate.

Abstract: A laser imageable tuned optical cavity thin film for use with a laser producing laser radiation at a laser wavelength comprising a flexible sheet of plastic having first and second surfaces serving as a film substrate. A thin film stack is disposed on the first surface of the film substrate and comprises a first vacuum-deposited metal layer carried by the first surface. It is also comprised of a dielectric layer deposited on the first metal layer. A second semi-opaque metal layer is vacuum deposited onto the dielectric layer. The thin film stack is tuned to provide maximum absorption at the laser wavelength.