Abstract: A heat formable mirror is formed by sputter depositing upon a sheet such as glass a reflective coating utilizing a base layer of silicon or a combination of silicon and stainless steel films, a reflective layer formed of a reflective metallic film such as titanium or aluminum, and a protective layer comprising preferably silicon nitride. The resulting mirror can be heat formed at elevated temperatures to form a curved mirror having a reflective coating free of objectionable defects.

Abstract: An environmentally stable silver containing mirror having very high reflection values over a large spectral range comprises a silver containing layer disposed on a substrate, which is covered by a zinc sulfide layer. So that the sulfur being set free during the application or during the vaporization of the zinc sulfide to be applied, does not attack the silver, at least one barrier or intermediate layer is placed between the silver containing layer and the zinc sulfide layer.

Abstract: A heat formable mirror is formed by sputter depositing upon a sheet such as glass a reflective coating utilizing a base layer of silicon or a combination of silicon and stainless steel films, a reflective layer formed of a reflective metallic film such as niobium, titanium or aluminum, and a protective layer comprising preferably silicon nitride. The resulting mirror can be heat formed at elevated temperatures to form a curved mirror having a reflective coating free of objectionable defects.

Abstract: The disclosure is related to a mirror device for use particularly as a side view mirror for automobiles. Side view mirrors presently in common use comprise of plane mirrors, and are required to be of a limited size. Because of the required small size, the directional range of view such mirrors provide to the driver is quite limited, and leave out of view certain directional ranges which are important from the safety point of view. It is the purpose of this invention to enhance the directional range of view to include within the view of the driver the region on the side commonly known as the blind spot. The device of the invention makes this possible without increasing the size of the mirror, or without causing significant disadvantages. This is made possible by providing a zig-zag surface for the mirror at appropriate offset angle, so that two separate ranges of directional view which are contiguous without overlap are achieved.

Abstract: An inspection mirror incorporates an extremely thin glass substrate and low profile mount to produce a mirror that can provide visual access to spaces that would otherwise be too small or otherwise inaccessible. An aluminized layer forms the first reflecting surface. The mirror is protected by an amorphous carbon layer which forms a second reflecting surface. The mirror may be framed or frameless. Where provided, the support frame has a mirror receiving recess in which the mirror is retained by adhesive. Frameless mirrors are supported by a planar wire mount secured to the rear surface of the mirror by adhesive. The mirrors may be carried on a spring wire shaft received in a handle or by a flat strip that forms the handle and mirror support.

Abstract: The present invention is a frame used to support a thin mirrored film. The frame has a front surface which includes a peripheral supporting ridge and an adhering surface. The adhering surface is located adjacent to and outside the peripheral ridge. The film is positioned tautly across the frame, supported by the peripheral ridge and attached to the frame at the adhering surface. The adhesive used to secure the film to the frame is preferably flexible so that it may provide relative lateral movement between the frame and the film, thereby compensating for thermal expansion and contraction differences between the frame and the film. A rear surface of the frame may include a peripheral stacking ridge. The stacking ridge is positioned outwardly from the peripheral supporting ridge relative to the central region so that one frame assembly may be stacked on top of another frame assembly without contacting the tautly supported film that is stretched across its peripheral supporting ridge.

Abstract: A specular-surface body (1) which has a sufficient resistance against irradiation of high energy beams--such as X-rays, SOR beams, laser beams, etc.--can be suitably used as reflecting mirrors, diffraction gratings, etc. for such high energy beams. The specular-surface body is formed by a silicon carbide film (3) being formed by chemical vapor deposition on a surface of a substrate (2) of silicon carbide sintered material, the film surface then being processed to be a specular surface (3a). There is a defect-free crystal layer (3b) at a depth d of 300 .ANG. from the specular surface (3a) of the silicon carbide film 3. The silicon carbide film (3) has a crystal structure strongly oriented to one crystal plane (for example, the (220) plane) specified by Miller indices in such a manner that its X-ray diffraction intensity ratio becomes 90% or more at a peak intensity.

Abstract: A mirror, mirror coating utilized with same, and mirror assembly are described and wherein the mirror coating has a primary region which reflects visibly discernible electromagnetic radiation, and a secondary region or multiple secondary regions which passes a portion of the visibly discernible electromagnetic radiation while simultaneously reflecting a given percentage of the visibly discernible electromagnetic radiation, and wherein the average reflectance of the entire surface is greater than about 50%.

Abstract: A reflector apparatus (10) having a reflective layer (24) enclosed within a sealed envelope (16) having a lower light absorptive sheet (20) and an upper light transmitting sheet (22).

Abstract: A light reflecting material having a reflecting layer comprising barium sulfate, titanium dioxide and a binder resin. When the light reflecting material of the present invention is used as a reflector of a lighting panel of edge light type, it efficiently causes light to enter into a light conducting plate and hence high brightness of the lighting panel can be obtained. High brightness is also obtained when it is used as a light reflecting material of backlight systems and illumination signboards.

Abstract: A laminated safety mirror comprises at least two layers of glass and a bonding layer. A mirrored coating is formed on the first inner surface of a glass sheet comprising an outer surface of the laminate and, through a protective coating, immediately adjacent the bonding layer. A dual-sided mirror can be formed with two mirrored coatings, one on each of the first inner surfaces of the glass sheets forming the outer surfaces of the laminate. The bonding layer is a light stable bonding polyether-based aliphatic polyurethane material. The laminate so formed is durable against separation of layers and against loss of its bonding strength and safety capabilities. The laminate will meet the strength and other characteristics of, for example, the Consumer Product Safety Code, 16 CFR 1201 category I and II (U.S. Safety Standards) for withstanding up to 400 foot-pounds of impact energy.

Abstract: A process for the production of coaxial and confocal mirrors having grazing incidence consists essentially of a support element or a carrier made of ceramic material, a layer reflecting X-rays and intermediate layer which is a buffer and which avoids the transfer of the rough surface of the carrier or support element to the reflecting layer. The support element or carrier is prepared by deposition involving the spraying of the ceramic material in the form of plasma (plasma spray deposition).

Abstract: A thin film mirror including a frame, a board, and a thin plastic film having a reflective metal deposit on one side thereof. The thin plastic film is pre-stretched over the frame and is secured thereto by an epoxy adhesive and a double-sided tape which prevents creep of the mirror during curing of the epoxy. The board is adhered to the reverse of the frame in order to protect the reflective surface of the mirror and to impart additional rigidity to the structure. Various embodiments of the thin film mirror are provided which employ an aperture to connect the air space formed between the mirror and the board with the atmosphere to thereby avoid any deformation of the mirror's surface due to atmospheric pressure changes. These various embodiments also include filter mechanisms to allow air flow but prevent debris from entering the air space. Various other embodiments incorporate an opaque tape disposed at and adhered to the periphery of the mirror to disguise any imperfections therein.

Abstract: A new helmet mirror comprises an articulated two-piece body having the mirror on one piece and an attachment device on the other piece. For most applications the attachment device comprises an adhesive for attachment directly to the clear face shield of a snowmobile helmet. The mirror and the adhesive are on the back of the respective pieces and the fronts of the respective pieces are smoothly contoured to reduce wind resistance and aerodynamic forces applied to the mirror body at high speeds. In an alternative embodiment a third piece comprising a link joins the mirror piece to the attachment piece with two articulation joints. The link is aerodynamically shaped to substantially reduce vibration of the mirror at high speeds and thereby reduce the forces applied to the articulation joints which retain the mirror in the proper viewing position.

Abstract: A coating-substrate combination having high specular reflectivity at high temperatures reaching 800.degree. C. in a vacuum is described. The substrate comprises pure nickel metal or a nickel-containing metal alloy such as stainless steel having a highly polished reflective surface. The coating is a layer of silver deposited on the substrate to a thickness of 300 .ANG. to 3000 .ANG.. A 300 .ANG. to 5000 .ANG. protective coating of silica, alumina or magnesium fluoride is used to cover the silver and to protect it from oxidation. The combination is useful as a parabolic shaped secondary concentrator for collecting solar radiation for generating power or thermal energy for satellite uses. The reflective layer and protective coating preferably are applied to the reflective surface of the substrate by electron beam evaporation or by ion sputtering.

Abstract: An optical film having high light transmittance and excellent light diffusibility is provided. The optical film comprises a transparent substrate 1 and a light diffusion layer 2 formed on one or both sides of the substrate 1. As the resin 3 of the light diffusion layer 2, an ionizing radiation curable resin is used in an amount of, preferably, not less than 50% of the resin and a small amount of the light diffusive agent is dispersed therein. The optical film exhibits excellent light diffusion effect even though the content of the light diffusive agent is small and also exhibits high light transmittance because of the small content of the light diffusive agent. Accordingly, this optical film is suitable for applications such as a color liquid crystal display which is required to have a sufficient brightness, and in combination with another optical material such as a prism lens.

Abstract: Gold is useful for infrared polarization-insensitive mirrors on silica. However, gold does not adhere to bare silica. The adherence is enhanced by depositing an optically thin glue layer of Ni--P on a silica surface after sensitization of the surface and activation. The Ni--P layer has a thickness sufficient to enhance adherence of gold to the surface of silica, but insufficient to act as a barrier to the passage of infrared radiation to or from the gold layer. One measure of the Ni--P thickness is the absorbance of the glue layer of >0.008 at 550 nm (>0.003 at 850 nm) as measured by a spectrophotometer. A 100-150 nm thick gold layer, deposited on this adhesion layer, adheres well enough to pass the commonly used "Scotch tape adhesion test". The ability to make gold adhere to silica with very low optical loss is useful in fabrication of lightwave devices which require the use of reflecting surfaces, such as an optical fibers or waveguides.

Abstract: A mirror having improved resistance to heat distortion and loss of dimensional stability when exposed to heat radiation . The mirror has a substrate of glass or plastic having front and back surfaces which can be of similar or different shape , and is coated with similar or dissimilar low-emissivity reflected layers on both surfaces. Radiation is reflected by the back surface (away from the mirror) thereby reducing amount of energy which is absorbed at the back surface of the mirror. This equalizes the temperature through the mirror and reduces thermally included warping of the mirror.

Abstract: A light reflecting plate includes a thermoplastic polyester foam containing fine cells with a mean cell diameter of 50 .mu.m or less and having a thickness of 200 .mu.m or more and a specific gravity of 0.7 or less. This light reflecting plate exhibits a high diffuse reflectance of visible light without adding a pigment or fine particles for improving the light scattering properties.

Abstract: A frame defining a central region for supporting a thin mirror film across the central region within a film plane. The frame includes four supporting members each joined together and having a longitudinal axis, an adhering surface and a forward surface. A supporting ridge is provided on the forward surface of each frame member being generally parallel to the longitudinal axis thereof. The supporting ridge is positioned intermediate the adhering surface and the central region. The supporting surface protrudes from the forward surface by a predetermined distance and is adapted to support a thin mirror film tautly across the central region within the film plane.

Abstract: A method for producing a replica mirror for use in an image-forming apparatus is described. The process includes a step where a mirror base plate including a mirror surface inclined with respect to the scanning axis in the image-forming apparatus is prepared. A reflective film layer is adhered to a master plate via a releasing layer. Then an adhesive material is applied to the reflective film layer. The reflective film layer is adhered to the mirror base plate via the adhesive material by pressing the mirror base plate onto the adhesive material. The reflective film layer is then transferred to the mirror base plate by peeling off the releasing layer from the reflective film layer.

Abstract: In order to produce lightweight mirror structures or other reflecting components, preformed silicon elements of sufficient wall thickness are applied to a CFC or CMC substrate structure with the dimensions of the component to be produced, at a temperature in the range 1300.degree. C. and 1600.degree. C. either in vacuum or in a protective atmosphere. In this way a mirror structure or reflector is formed directly. It is possible to work at temperatures in the range of 300.degree. C. to 600.degree. C. when the silicon is applied in the form of a preform such as a wafer, which is joined to the substrate by way of a zone of a melt eutectic incorporating a nonferrous metal, which is preferably gold. The surfaces are subsequently coated.

Abstract: A back mirror has plural mirror surface areas of different curvatures disposed side by side or plural mirror surface areas disposed side by side to form discontinuous planes. The back mirror includes a dividing line having a light diffusion effect formed along a border portion of the plural mirror surface areas. The dividing line may be formed by projections and depressions having a light diffusion effect which are formed on at least one of a transparent substrate, reflecting film and a transparent thin film formed on the reflecting film.

Abstract: A support pillar 426 for use with a micromechanical device, particularly a digital micromirror device, comprising a pillar material 422 supported by a substrate 400 and covered with a metal layer 406. The support pillar 426 is fabricated by depositing a layer of pillar material on a substrate 400, patterning the pillar layer to define a support pillar 426, and depositing a metal layer 406 over the support pillar 426 enclosing the support pillar. A planar surface even with the top of the pillar may be created by applying a spacer layer 432 over the pillars 426. After applying the spacer layer 432, holes 434 are patterned into the spacer layer to remove any spacer material that is covering the pillars. The spacer layer is then reflowed to fill the holes and lower the surface of the spacer layer such that the surface is coplanar with the tops of the support pillars 426.

Abstract: A signal mirror assembly has a laminated sandwich construction and includes a transparent center sighting disk. The disk interconnects a relatively thick plastic front sheet with a thin rear plastic sheet to provide enhanced structural integrity and to eliminate potential interference due to condensation. A retrodirective wire screen provides enhanced viewfinding capabilities and is centered within an opening in the adhesive sheet that bonds the plastic sheets together. Reinforcing rods along the horizontal sides of the mirror are rigidly anchored along a center portion and resiliently connected at opposite ends to limit warping over time while allowing for correction of focus by bending, if necessary. Optionally, the mirror may include foam pads for buoyancy.

Abstract: A method of producing front surface mirrors comprising depositing onto a hot ribbon of low transmissivity glass during the production process a low transmissivity reflecting coating whereby the mirrors have a transmissivity through the coated glass of up to about 10% in visible light. There is also provided a front surface mirror comprising a glass substrate of low transmissivity glass carrying a low transmissivity reflecting coating whereby the mirror has a transmissivity through the coated glass of up to about 10% in visible light.

Abstract: Reflector having a composite reflectivity enhancing layer as reflecting surface layer on a reflector body where the said composite has a sandwich structure with an aluminum layer facing the reflector body, an outer layer, the HI-layer, with a refractive index n.sub.2 facing the radiation to be reflected, and an intermediate aluminum oxide layer, the LI-layer, with a refractive index n.sub.1 which is smaller than n.sub.2. The LI-layer is a transparent and pore-free barrier layer produced by anodic oxidation of the aluminum layer and having a dielectric constant .epsilon..sub.1 of 6 to 10.5 at 20.degree. C. and the optical layer thickness d.sub.opt.1 of the LI-layer and d.sub.opt.2 of the HI-layer are such thatd.sub.opt,i =d.sub.i.n.sub.i =l.sub.i..lambda./4.+-.10 nm, i=1, 2where d.sub.1 represents the thickness of the LI-layer in nm, d.sub.2 the thickness of the HI-layer in nm, .lambda. the average wave length in nm of the light striking the reflector surface and l.sub.1, l.sub.2, uneven natural numbers.

Abstract: A mirror assembly comprising a glass substrate, a low transmissivity reflecting coating on the substrate and an opacifying member which is assembled adjacent to the glass substrate for a front surface mirror or the reflecting coating for a back surface mirror. The present invention also provides a method of producing a mirror assembly comprising depositing onto a hot ribbon of glass during the production process a low transmissivity reflecting coating and assembling an opacifying member adjacent to the glass substrate or the reflecting coating of the mirror so formed.

Abstract: A elemental mirror for vehicles having a luminous reflectance of at least about 30% includes a substrate coated with a thin layer of elemental semiconductor having an index of refraction of at least 3 and an optical thickness of at least about 275 angstroms. Preferably, the elemental semiconductor coating is sputter coated silicon or germanium and a light absorbing coating is included therebehind. The mirror is spectrally nonselective with elemental semiconductor optical thicknesses of about 275 to 2400 angstroms on the front substrate surface. Spectrally selective mirrors are provided by adding an interference coating to the elemental semiconductor layer coating, preferably of a dielectric such as silicon dioxide or silicon nitride, on either the front or rear substrate surface, or by using a thicker, single elemental semiconductor layer. Instead of an absorbing coating behind the mirror, additional elemental semiconductor and dielectric thin layers may be included to reduce secondary reflections.

Abstract: An environmentally stable silver mirror having very high reflection values over a large spectral range comprises a silver layer disposed on a substrate, which is covered by a zinc sulfide layer. So that the sulphur being set free during the application or during the vaporization of the zinc sulfide to be applied, does not attack the silver, at least one barrier or intermediate layer is placed between the silver layer and the zinc sulfide layer.

Abstract: A light weight arcuate reflector facet, for a solar concentrator comprises a thin mirrored glass sheet such as a microsheet, and a backing sheet or substrate, the glass sheet being bonded to the backing sheet, with the backing sheet providing a smooth surface to the glass sheet. A support member or support structure is attached to the backing sheet and maintains the mirrored glass sheet at a desired radius of curvature. The backing sheet is preferably a composite, and according to one embodiment of a fixed focal length light weight reflector facet, the support member is a resin-impregnated fiberglass sheet having a rib structure. In another embodiment of a variable focal length light weight reflector facet, the support member is a mechanical structure comprising a circular support structure having intersecting center support beams positioned diagonally across the circular support structure.

Abstract: Reflection-type compound optical elements include a substrate, an aspherical resin layer and a high reflectance layer. The substrate, the aspherical layer and the high reflectance layer are laminated in an optional order to form a laminate structure.

Abstract: A support pillar 426 for use with a micromechanical device, particularly a digital micromirror device, comprising a pillar material 422 supported by a substrate 400 and covered with a metal layer 406. The support pillar 426 is fabricated by depositing a layer of pillar material on a substrate 400, patterning the pillar layer to define a support pillar 426, and depositing a metal layer 406 over the support pillar 426 enclosing the support pillar. A planar surface even with the top of the pillar may be created by applying a spacer layer 432 over the pillars 426. After applying the spacer layer 432, the spacer layer 432 is etched to expose the tops of the pillars.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an optical RF bandpass filter comprises the st of: (1) mounting an optical fiber having first and second ends in a fiber support structure having first and second surfaces so that the first end is exposed at the first surface and the second end is exposed at the second surface; (2) forming a first layered mirror structure on a first substrate to create a first mirror wafer structure having a first reflective surface; (3) forming a second layered mirror structure on a second substrate to create a second mirror wafer structure having a second reflective surface; (4) affixing the first reflective surface of the first mirror wafer structure to the first surface of the fiber support structure; and (5) affixing the second reflective surface of the second mirror wafer structure to the second surface of the fiber support structure.

Abstract: A mirror installation suitable for mounting on a wall, and having a wall mounting plate including a reflector surface, a transparent reflector surface protection sheet, positioning units carried on the wall plate for positioning the transparent sheet over the reflector surface, and a sheet clamp or frame for attaching to the wall plate and overlying edges of the transparent sheet for clamping the transparent sheet to the wall plate over the reflector surface, with the frame and the transparent sheet removable and replaceable without disturbing the reflector surface.

Abstract: A support pillar 426 for use with a micromechanical device, particularly a digital micromirror device, comprising a pillar material 422 supported by a substrate 400 and covered with a metal layer 406. The support pillar 426 is fabricated by depositing a layer of pillar material on a substrate 400, patterning the pillar layer to define a support pillar 426, and depositing a metal layer 406 over the support pillar 426 enclosing the support pillar. A planar surface even with the top of the pillar may be created by applying a spacer layer 432 over the pillars 426. After applying the spacer layer 432, holes 434 are patterned into the spacer layer to remove any spacer material that is covering the pillars. The spacer layer is then reflowed to fill the holes and lower the surface of the spacer layer such that the surface is coplanar with the tops of the support pillars 426.

Abstract: A long-life solar reflector includes a solar collector substrate and a base layer bonded to a solar collector substrate. The first layer includes a first reflective layer and a first acrylic or transparent polymer layer covering the first reflective layer to prevent exposure of the first reflective layer. The reflector also includes at least one upper layer removably bonded to the first acrylic or transparent polymer layer of the base layer. The upper layer includes a second reflective layer and a second acrylic or transparent polymer layer covering the second reflective layer to prevent exposure of the second reflective layer. The upper layer may be removed from the base reflective layer to expose the base layer, thereby lengthening the useful life of the solar reflector.

Abstract: A light-weight base body of a reflecting mirror, such as those used in reflecting astronomical telescopes, is proposed which is made from fused silica glass or high-silica glass and is advantageous in respect of the excellent thermal and mechanical stability in dimensions to ensure high performance of the reflecting mirror. The base body is composed of a front plate, i.e. a surface plate to provide the optical surface, and a supporting body of porous foamed glass integrally bonded to the front plate. These two parts of the base body can be bonded together by sandwiching a layer of a finely divided silica powder therebetween and heating the assemblage at a temperature higher than the softening point of the silica powder so that the silica powder is softened or melted to firmly join the two parts sandwiching the powder layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an interferential or interference dielectric mirror and to its production process. The mirror includes a ground, planar substrate, whose surface has been replicated with a thermal plastic resin, the substrate being covered with at least one layer of colloids having a low refractive index and at least one layer of colloids having a high refractive index, the two layer types being arranged in an alternating manner. The mirror is both inexpensive and resistant to laser flux.

Abstract: A light-weight base body of a reflecting mirror, such as those used in reflecting astronomical telescopes, is proposed which is made from fused silica glass or high-silica glass and is advantageous in respect of the excellent thermal and mechanical stability in dimensions to ensure high performance of the reflecting mirror. The base body is composed of a front plate, i.e. a surface plate to provide the optical surface, and a supporting body of porous foamed glass integrally bonded to the front plate. These two parts of the base body can be bonded together by sandwiching a layer of a finely divided silica powder therebetween and heating the assemblage at a temperature higher than the softening point of the silica powder so that the silica powder is softened or melted to firmly join the two parts sandwiching the powder layer.

Abstract: Apparatus for making a framed mirror includes a conveyor for moving a frame with the mirror seated therein to a film application and laminating station and a stop downstream of the laminating station. A cutter station serves the film applied from a roll supply. A control effects operation of the stop and stops unrolling of film from the roll supply. The framed mirror includes a frame with a peripheral portion having front and rear faces and defining an opening extending therethrough and a recess in the rear surface thereof providing a shoulder extending about the opening. The mirror having front and rear surfaces is seated on the shoulder. Synthetic resin sheeting extends over the rear surface of the mirror and over at least a portion of the rear surface of the frame peripheral portion, and is adhesively bonded to the rear surfaces of the mirror and the frame to secure the mirror on the shoulder and to provide resistance to shattering of the mirror.

Abstract: Grazing incidence co-axial and confocal mirrors, used in particular for X-ray telescopes for astronomic observations, having a parabola/hyperbola double-cone truncated-cone structure, with polynomial sections or other geometric configurations, and consisting of an internal reflecting surface (15), in the form of a gold layer, an epoxy resin layer (14) and a supporting mechanical structural element (carrier) (11), formed of a ceramic material having physical-chemical properties improved compared to nickel and obtained according to the process of chemical vapor deposition (CVD) or other fabrication processes.

Abstract: A high-reflectivity surface reflecting mirror is provided by sequentially forming, on a resin substrate, a silicon dioxide first under layer, a chromium sulfide second under layer, a silver reflecting layer and protective layers. According to a second aspect of the invention, a surface reflecting mirror is provided by sequentially forming, on a resin substrate, a silicon dioxide under layer, an aluminum reflecting layer, a silicon dioxide first protective layer, a second protective layer made of at least one of titanium oxide, tantalum oxide and zirconium oxide, and an aluminum oxide third protective layer.

Abstract: A light-weight base body of a reflecting mirror, such as those used in reflecting astronomical telescopes, is proposed which is made from fused silica glass or high-silica glass and is advantageous in respect of the excellent thermal and mechanical stability in dimensions to ensure high performance of the reflecting mirror. The base body is composed of a front plate, i.e. a surface plate to provide the optical surface, and a supporting body of porous foamed glass integrally bonded to the front plate. These two parts of the base body can be bonded together by sandwiching a layer of a finely divided silica powder therebetween and heating the assemblage at a temperature higher than the softening point of the silica powder so that the silica powder is softened or melted to firmly join the two parts sandwiching the powder layer.

Abstract: A vehicle rear view mirror comprising a mirror plate which is provided with a reflection layer and, on the surface facing the viewer of the mirror, is provided with a scratch-resistant protective layer. An adhesive layer which is essentially made of a silicone gel is arranged between the mirror plate and the reflection layer or between the reflection layer and the scratch-resistant protective layer. The silicone gel adhesive layer is formed by an addition cross-linking two-part silicone rubber and exhibits an elasticity which prevents excessive tensions in the mirror layers due to different thermal expansion coefficient of the layers.

Abstract: An environmentally stable silver mirror having very high reflection values over a large spectral range comprises a silver layer disposed on a substrate, which is covered by a zinc sulfide layer. So that the sulphur being set free during the application or during the vaporization of the zinc sulfide to be applied, does not attack the silver, at least one barrier or intermediate layer is placed between the silver layer and the zinc sulfide layer.

Abstract: A elemental mirror for vehicles having a luminous reflectance of at least about 30% includes a substrate coated with a thin layer of elemental semiconductor having an index of refraction of at least 3 and an optical thickness of at least about 275 angstroms. Preferably, the elemental semiconductor coating is sputter coated silicon or germanium and a light absorbing coating is included therebehind. The mirror is spectrally nonselective with elemental semiconductor optical thicknesses of about 275 to 2400 angstroms on the front substrate surface. Spectrally selective mirrors are provided by adding an interference coating to the elemental semiconductor layer coating, preferably of a dielectric such as silicon dioxide or silicon nitride, on either the front or rear substrate surface, or by using a thicker, single elemental semiconductor layer. Instead of an absorbing coating behind the mirror, additional elemental semiconductor and dielectric thin layers may be included to reduce secondary reflections.

Abstract: The invention relates to a coating composition for preparing a back coating film of a mirror. The mirror has a glass substrate, a silver mirror film formed on a back surface of the glass substrate, a metallic protective film formed on the silver mirror film, and the back coating film formed on the metallic protective film. The coating composition comprises: a binder consisting of 40 to 85 parts by weight of the total of an epoxy resin and a hardener of the epoxy resin, and 15 to 60 parts by weight of at least one selected from the group consisting of a ketone formaldehyde resin and its derivatives; and a pigment blend containing 7-55 wt % of a corrosion-inhibitive pigment based on the weight of the pigment blend. The weight ratio of the pigment blend to the binder is in the range from 1.2 to 4.0. The back coating film is superior in chemical resistance and corrosion resistance even if a lead-free corrosion-inhibitive pigment is used.

Abstract: A framed mirror includes a frame with a peripheral portion having front and rear faces and defining an opening extending therethrough. The peripheral portion of the frame has a recess in the rear surface thereof providing a shoulder extending about the opening. A mirror having front and rear surfaces is seated in the opening with the peripheral portion of its front surface disposed on the shoulder. Synthetic resin sheeting extends over the rear surface of the mirror and over at least a portion of the rear surface of the frame peripheral portion, and is adhesively bonded to the rear surfaces of the mirror and the frame to secure the mirror on the shoulder and to provide resistance to shattering of the mirror.

Abstract: This invention relates to a mirror base-installing structure for installing a mirror base on the surface of a glass plate, characterized in that said mirror base is bonded to the surface of said glass plate with a film-like or sheet-like heat-curable adhesive interposed between the mirror base and the glass plate, said adhesive having elasticity or plasticity after heat-cured, and a method for installing the same. The mirror base can be bonded simultaneously with the preparation of a bilayer glass, thereby simplifying the working process.