Abstract: An exterior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a reflective element subassembly which includes a reflective element mounted to a backing plate and/or bezel which extends at least partially around the back surface of the reflective element. An antenna is wound or otherwise positioned around at least a portion of a perimeter or outer portion of the reflective element subassembly. The antenna may be functional to transmit or receive signals for a corresponding signal device of the vehicle, such as a radio, a passive entry system, a cellular telephone system, and/or the like. The antenna and/or a connector for connecting the antenna to a corresponding connector at the mirror assembly or vehicle or door of vehicle may be integrally molded with the backing plate or bezel to further protect the antenna and improve the assembly processes of the mirror assembly.

Abstract: A method of forming a mirror housing according to the present invention includes providing a molding apparatus having a molding cavity, placing a film appliqué in the mold cavity and injecting a polymer into the mold cavity over at least a portion of a side of the film appliqué to form a housing wall of the mirror housing wherein the film appliqué adheres to the substrate forming the housing wall. Preferably, the mold apparatus comprises an injection molding apparatus which injects a heated polymer into the mold cavity for forming the housing wall of the mirror housing. The film appliqué preferably matches the color of the vehicle or provides a color accent, wood grain finish, or a metallic finish or the like to provide a decorative appearance to the mirror assembly but without the noise associated with the conventional detachable skull cap designs.

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 method for forming a mettalic mirror surface on an underlay is shown. The method comprises the steps of: adjusting the underlay; applying an activating treatment agent solution to the underlay wherein the activating-treatment agent solution contains about 10 cc to about 44 cc of hydrochloric acid, about 1.5 g to about 5 g of stannous chloride and about 0.001 g to about 0.005 g of a precious metal salt of at least one of a silver nitrate, palladium chloride, gold chloride and platinum chloride per 1 liter of water; and reacting a metallic salt with a reducing agent to form a metallic mirror.

Abstract: There is disclosed a mirror rocking member for an optical deflector. The optical deflector comprises the mirror rocking member for deflecting light, and a driver for driving the member. The mirror rocking member comprises a movable plate having a reflective surface, an elastic member for rockably supporting the movable plate, and a support for supporting the elastic member. The movable plate has an electric element, which constitutes a part of the driver. The movable plate includes a first portion having the reflective surface, and a second portion including an electric element. The first portion has a reflective-surface forming surface with the reflective surface formed thereon, the second portion has an electric-element forming surface with the electric element formed thereon, and the reflective-surface forming surface has an area smaller than an area of the electric-element forming surface.

Abstract: A method for making polymeric reflectors and parabolic reflectors in particular. The reflector is made by forming a series of layers (12, 14, 16, 18, and 20) that are progressively thinner with the final polymeric layer (20) being about one millimeter in thickness. The reflector is then coated with a reflective layer (22) by vapor deposition. To make a parabolic reflector, the layers are spun cast at a constant, preselected rate throughout the process, including during the curing of each layer. Layer formation is made in a controlled, particulate-free environment and additives can be used to increase stiffness, decrease weight, and reduce stresses during curing.

Abstract: A reflecting film is made by forming resin layers on both sides of a metal thin film, and using a colorless, transparent, and optically isotropic material at least in one resin layer. A reflecting film is made by forming a metal thin film on one side of a resin film, and forming a colorless, transparent, and optically isotropic resin coat layer on its surface by printing or other method. A mirror having such a reflecting film is mounted on a frame. A projection type image magnifying apparatus for liquid crystal panel and a projection type image magnifying apparatus for CRT, improved in resolution and contrast ratio, is obtained by using such mirror as an image reflecting mirror.

Abstract: A colored anti-fog mirror includes a substrate, a metal reflecting film formed on a front surface of the substrate, and a hydrophilic function layer having a hydrophilic function and containing photocatalytic substance provided on the metal reflecting film. The thickness of the hydrophilic function layer is set in such a manner that wavelength of reflected light has a peak of reflectance within a range from 400 nm to 510 nm and a mirror surface thereby exhibits a bluish color.

Abstract: In a method for the coating of substrates made of plastic, with a light-reflecting layer, preferably an aluminum layer, and another layer placed between the substrate and the light-reflecting layer, the additional layer, which has a high barrier effect to substances which migrate or evolve gases from the plastic, is a highly crosslinked hydrocarbon layer, a silicon dioxide, silicon nitride, or silicon oxynitride layer, with a thickness of at least 15 nm, wherein the carbon content of the barrier layer is <15%.

Abstract: A system and method for increasing the power density distribution uniformity of a gyrotron radiation beam provides a mirror for reflecting the gyrotron beam onto an object to be irradiated, where the shape of the mirror surface is changed by a plurality of controllable and movable mirror support members in a chaotic or random manner during generation of the gyrotron beam on the mirror surface, and the shape of the mirror surface is changed at a predetermined frequency F according to a predefined algorithm.

Abstract: Thermostable mirrors comprise an optically transparent glass substrate and a thermostable mirror coating on a surface of the substrate. The mirror coating has a reflective chromium-based layer (formed of Cr or Ni—Cr) which preferably is used with reflectivity enhancing layer of silver or copper metal. Such reflectivity enhancing layer can be sandwiched between chromium-based layers. Optical color may be provided by a color-forming oxide layer, such as a layer of CuOx between the glass substrate and the reflective layer(s). The reflective coating is thermostable at the tempering temperature of the glass. The coating provides controllable reflectivity and, optionally, controllable color properties, which are substantially stable through exposure of the substrate to tempering and bending temperatures. In accordance with a method of manufacturing the coated article, the thermostable coating is deposited by D.C. magnetron sputtering in a multi-station sputtering chamber.

Abstract: An article having at least a portion of the outer surface thereof coated with a metallic mirror surface comprising a reactant formed by reaction of an activating treatment agent containing stannous chloride and at least one precious metal salt of palladium, gold, silver and platinum reacted with a reacting metal salt and a reducing agent is shown. The metallic mirror surface having a colored metallic luster formed on at least a portion thereof is also shown.

Abstract: A polymer-based mirror formed from a synthetic thermoplastic or thermoset resin substrate, such as polymethyl methacrylate, which is resistant to warping and distortion from moisture. A composite multi-layer surface-hardening coating is formed on at least the anterior surface of the resin substrate. The mirror further includes a composite multi-layer reflective coating. A protective back-coat layer is deposited on a posterior surface of the mirror. A multi-layer weather-resistant coating may optionally be applied to the anterior surface of the polymer-based mirror in order to increase the weatherability and durability of the mirror. The various layers coating the synthetic resin substrate have their moisture permeabilities selected so that substantially equal amounts of moisture permeate through to both the anterior and posterior side of the synthetic resin substrate.

Abstract: A coating process for forming a metallic mirror surface on the receiving surface of a substrate to be coated is shown. The coating process comprises the steps of: cleaning a receiving surface of a substrate to be coated; spraying on the receiving surface an activating treatment agent solution containing stannous chloride and at least one precious metal salt of palladium, gold, silver and the like; treating said receiving surface having said activating treatment agent with a water wash treatment; and separately spraying concurrently on the receiving surface after treatment by said activating treatment agent a reacting metal salt solution and a reducing agent solution to form a metallic mirror surface on the receiving surface of a substrate to be coated.

Abstract: In order to develop a rear-view mirror for a vehicle, with a reflective surface, in such a way that the rear-view mirror can firstly provide the driver of the vehicle with depth information based on a physical measurement, and is also capable of displaying further information which is important to the driver, without causing the driver to change viewing direction, it is proposed to equip the reflective surface (1) in a rear-view mirror, at least in a subarea, with a display (3) with a reflective background, the display (3) being capable of displaying text symbols and/or pictograms. In this case, the reflective surface (1), in spite of the inserted information, is intended to remain usable over virtually the entire area for depicting objects located behind the vehicle, and also to require no built-on fittings on the rear-view mirror.

Abstract: A video projection device includes a cabinet having front and rear sections and a projection tube for projecting a video image. The video projection device also includes a screen located in the front section of the cabinet. The screen has a first surface onto which the video image is projected and a second surface for displaying the video image so that it is observable by a viewer. A mirror is arranged in the cabinet for reflecting light to the first surface of the screen. The mirror is a composite laminate mirror that includes a rigid substrate and a reflective sheet laminated to the rigid substrate. The rigid substrate may be a glass substrate and the reflective sheet may be a flexible plastic sheet. The reflective sheet may have a multilayer construction that includes a metallic film. The reflective sheet may alternatively include a second substrate and at least one thin film layer deposited on the substrate.

Abstract: A method for forming a metallic mirror surface on a receiving surface, substrate or article is shown. The method comprises the steps of cleaning the receiving surface to be coated with a metallic mirror surface; spraying on the receiving surface an activating treatment agent containing stannous chloride and at least one precious metal salt of palladium, gold and silver or the like; and separately spraying concurrently on the receiving surface, a reacting metallic salt solution and a reducing agent solution to form the metallic mirror surface. The method may include the step of treating the receiving surface with a water wash treatment. The activating treatment agent may be in a solution form and contain about 10 cc to about 44 cc of hydrochloric acid, about 1.5 g to about 5 g of stannous chloride and about 0.001 g to about 0.005 g of palladium chloride per 1 liter of water.

Abstract: A major cause of road accidents is the well-known blind spot present within the field of view of side-view mirrors of automobiles, in particular of the left. Innovations have been made in the past and recently in designing mirrors that avoid the blind spot, and have been patented. They have some inadequacies however. This invention is based on observation of the distinct roles played by different sections of a side-view mirror. The lower section of the mirror alone accounts for view of the road region close to the auto, wherein the blind spot is located. The invention therefore presents now a modified lower section that makes viewing the blind spot region possible without introducing a curved configuration.

Abstract: A variable shape mirror comprises a frame member having an opening, and a thin film having a first region including a reflecting plane and a second region of higher rigidity than the first region disposed in the outer periphery of the first region, being supported in the opening of the frame member. Other variable shape mirror comprises a frame member having a first opening and a second opening, a first thin film having a reflecting plane, forming an electrode, and supported in the first opening of the frame member, a second thin film forming an electrode electrically conducting with the electrode of the first thin film, and supported in the second opening of the frame member, and a substrate bonded to the frame member at a specified interval, and having an electrode at a position opposite to the electrode of the second thin film.

Abstract: Phase and free spectra range adjustable reflectors, referred to herein as nano tuner (NanoT) reflectors, provide building blocks for the manufacturing of passive and active devices used for dense wavelength division multiplexing applications. Specifically, NanoT can be used to fabricate interleavers, multichannel filters and dispersion compensators, optical spectrum synthesizers and other valuable devices. Various embodiments are disclosed. Each provides at least one hermetically sealed optical cavity connected to a tuning device through a channel. The tuning device permits modification to the density of an optical medium contained in the cavity. In the preferred embodiments disclosed, the optical medium comprises one or more selected gases which determine the index of refraction in the cavity. The cavity is formed between two optical windows having facing surfaces coated by partially or wholly reflective coatings. The facing surfaces are separated by a selected distance by a precise spacer.

Abstract: A reflective element, such as a mirror, includes a substrate and a reflective layer formed thereon. The substrate comprises at least one thixotropic metal alloy, which is injected into a mold to form the shape desired for the reflective element. The reflective element may also include an interface layer comprising a thermoset material, such as an epoxy resin, formed between the substrate and the reflective layer to increase the smoothness of the substrate.

Abstract: A polymer-based mirror formed from a synthetic thermoplastic or thermoset resin substrate, such as polymethyl methacrylate, which is resistant to warping and distortion from moisture. A composite multi-layer surface-hardening coating is formed on at least the anterior surface of the resin substrate. The mirror further includes a composite multi-layer reflective coating. A protective back-coat layer is deposited on a posterior surface of the mirror. A multi-layer weather-resistant coating may optionally be applied to the anterior surface of the polymer-based mirror in order to increase the weatherability and durability of the mirror. The various layers coating the synthetic resin substrate have their moisture permeabilities selected so that substantially equal amounts of moisture permeate through to both the anterior and posterior side of the synthetic resin substrate.

Abstract: A method for forming a metallic mirror surface on a receiving surface, substrate or article is shown. The method comprises the steps of cleaning the receiving surface to be coated with a metallic mirror surface; spraying on the receiving surface an activating treatment agent containing stannous chloride and at least one precious metal salt of palladium, gold and silver or the like; and separately spraying concurrently on the receiving surface, a reacting metallic salt solution and a reducing agent solution to form the metallic mirror surface. The method may include the step of treating the receiving surface with a water wash treatment. The activating treatment agent may be in a solution form and contain about 10 cc to about 44 cc of hydrochloric acid, about 1.5 g to about 5 g of stannous chloride and about 0.001 g to about 0.005 g of palladium chloride per 1 liter of water.

Abstract: A method for forming a metallic mirror surface on a receiving surface, substrate or article is shown. The method comprises the steps of cleaning the receiving surface to be coated with a metallic mirror surface; spraying on the receiving surface an activating treatment agent containing stannous chloride and at least one precious metal salt of palladium, gold and silver or the like; and separately spraying concurrently on the receiving surface, a reacting metallic salt solution and a reducing agent solution to form the metallic mirror surface. The method may include the step of treating the receiving surface with a water wash treatment. The activating treatment agent may be in a solution form and contain about 10 cc to about 44 cc of hydrochloric acid, about 1.5 g to about 5 g of stannous chloride and about 0.001 g to about 0.005 g of palladium chloride per 1 liter of water. The reacting metal salt solution may contain about 6.

Abstract: Birefringent optical films have a Brewster angle (the angle at which reflectance of p-polarized light goes to zero) which is very large or is nonexistent. This allows for the construction of multilayer mirrors and polarizers whose reflectivity for p-polarized light decreases slowly with angle of incidence, are independent of angle of incidence, or increase with angle of incidence away from the normal. As a result, multilayer films having high reflectivity (for both planes of polarization for any incident direction in the case of mirrors, and for the selected direction in the case of polarizers) over a wide bandwidth, can be achieved.

Abstract: A rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle having a mirror element attached to a carrier plate is disclosed. Also disclosed is a method of assembling a rearview mirror assembly with an exchangeable mirror element.

Abstract: A method for forming a metallic mirror surface on a receiving surface, substrate or article is shown. The method comprises the steps of cleaning the receiving surface to be coated with a metallic mirror surface; spraying on the receiving surface an activating treatment agent containing stannous chloride and at least one precious metal salt of palladium, gold and silver or the like; and separately spraying concurrently on the receiving surface, a reacting metallic salt solution and a reducing agent solution to form the metallic mirror surface. The method may include the step of treating the receiving surface with a water wash treatment. The activating treatment agent may be in a solution form and contain about 10 cc to about 44 cc of hydrochloric acid, about 1.5 g to about 5 g of stannous chloride and about 0.001 g to about 0.005 g of palladium chloride per 1 liter of water. The reacting metal salt solution may contain about 6.

Abstract: A method of forming a mirror housing according to the present invention includes providing a molding apparatus having a molding cavity, placing a film appliqué in the mold cavity and injecting a polymer into the mold cavity over at least a portion of a side of the film appliqué to form a housing wall of the mirror housing wherein the film appliqué adheres to the substrate forming the housing wall. Preferably, the mold apparatus comprises an injection molding apparatus which injects a heated polymer into the mold cavity for forming the housing wall of the mirror housing. The film appliqué preferably matches the color of the vehicle or provides a color accent, wood grain finish, or a metallic finish or the like to provide a decorative appearance to the mirror assembly but without the noise associated with the conventional detachable skull cap designs.

Abstract: Within a chamber in a vacuum atmosphere, SiO is deposited on a glass substrate so as to form a first layer as a protective film, Al is deposited on the first layer so as to form a second layer as an aluminum reflective film, MgF2 is deposited on the second layer so as to form a third layer as a transparent protective film, and CeO2 is deposited on the third layer so as to form a fourth layer as a transparent protective film. Then, while O2 gas is introduced into the chamber, SiO2 is deposited on the fourth layer so as to form a fifth layer as a transparent protective film.

Abstract: A method for forming a metallic mirror surface on a receiving surface, substrate or article is shown. The method comprises the steps of cleaning the receiving surface to be coated with a metallic mirror surface; spraying on the receiving surface an activating treatment agent containing stannous chloride and at least one precious metal salt of palladium, gold and silver or the like; and separately spraying concurrently on the receiving surface, a reacting metallic salt solution and a reducing agent solution to form the metallic mirror surface. The method may include the step of treating the receiving surface with a water wash treatment. The activating treatment agent may be in a solution form and contain about 10 cc to about 44 cc of hydrochloric acid, about 1.5 g to about 5 g of stannous chloride and about 0.001 g to about 0.005 g of palladium chloride per 1 liter of water. The reacting metal salt solution may contain about 6.

Abstract: A reflecting film is made by forming resin layers on both sides of a metal thin film, and using a colorless, transparent, and optically isotropic material at least in one resin layer. A reflecting film is made by forming a metal thin film on one side of a resin film, and forming a colorless, transparent, and optically isotropic resin coat layer on its surface by printing or other method. A mirror having such a reflecting film is mounted on a frame. A projection type image magnifying apparatus for liquid crystal panel and a projection type image magnifying apparatus for CRT, improved in resolution and contrast ratio, is obtained by using such mirror as an image reflecting mirror.

Abstract: A hydrophilic mirror comprising a glass substrate having on the main surface side thereof a layer having a refractive index n1 at 550 nm, a layer having a refractive index n2 at 550 nm, a titanium oxide layer having a refractive index n3 at 550 nm, and an overcoat in this order, the refractive indices n1, n2 and n3 satisfying the relationship: n1≧n3>n2, and having a visible light reflectance of 70% or more.

Abstract: A reflector, with high total reflection, resisting mechanical stress and having a reflector body on which the following components are superimposed (a) a functional coating, e.g., a varnish, (b) a reflection layer structure composed of a reflecting metallic layer and a transparent ceramic layer, having for instance a geometric thickness of 3 nm or more or an optical depth of &lgr;2, applied on the top of the metallic layer. The layer arranged on the surface of the reflection layer structure is formed by the transparent layer which acts simultaneously as a protection layer. The protection layer is a silicon oxide of general formula SiOx, where x is a number from 1.1 to 2.0, or is an aluminum oxide of formula Al2O3. The protection layer protects the underlying layers from mechanical stresses. In the DIN 58196 wipe test, the protected layer shows no damage after 50 test cycles, each with 100 wiping strokes.

Abstract: A method of forming a mirror housing according to the present invention includes providing a molding apparatus having a molding cavity, placing a film appliqué in the mold cavity and injecting a polymer into the mold cavity over at least a portion of a side of the film appliqué to form a housing wall of the mirror housing wherein the film applique adheres to the substrate forming the housing wall. Preferably, the mold apparatus comprises an injection molding apparatus which injects a heated polymer into the mold cavity for forming the housing wall of the mirror housing. The film appliqué preferably matches the color of the vehicle or provides a color accent, wood grain finish, or a metallic finish or the like to provide a decorative appearance to the mirror assembly but without the noise associated with the conventional detachable skull cap designs.

Abstract: A color image display system and a color image pickup system adapted to electronically correct the color shift of color separation images caused by a decentered optical system used to display or capture a color image. The color image display system has an image display apparatus including a color image display device for displaying a color image composed of color separation images superimposed on one another. The displayed color image is projected into an eyeball of an observer through a viewing optical system that is formed from a decentered optical system including a decentered prism having at least a decentered internally reflecting surface with a power, together with an entrance surface and an exit surface, which are transmitting surfaces. The pixel position of each color separation image to be displayed on the color image display device is shifted so as to cancel a color shift of the corresponding color separation image caused by the decentered optical system.

Abstract: A method for making polymeric reflectors and parabolic reflectors in particular. The reflector is made by forming a series of layers (12, 14, 16, 18, and 20) that are progressively thinner with the final polymeric layer (20) being about one millimeter in thickness. The reflector is then coated with a reflective layer (22) by vapor deposition. To make aparabolic reflector, the layers are spun cast at a constant, preselected rate throughout the process, including during the curing of each layer. Layer formation is made in a controlled, particulate-free environment and additives can be used to increase stiffness, decrease weight, and reduce stresses during curing.

Abstract: Mirror substrate of crystal, especially silicon crystal, on which an amorphous layer, especially a quartz glass layer, is applied.

Abstract: A heat-formable mirror comprising a flat substrate capable of plastic flow upon application of heat and a sputter-deposited coating formed on the surface of the substrate. From the substrate outwardly, the coating comprises a transparent amorphous layer and a reflective layer comprising contiguous first and second different metal films. The first metal film, positioned nearer the substrate than the second metal film, is a reflective metal film, and the second metal film comprises a protective film that is less reflective than the reflective metal film, the second metal film being of niobium, tungsten, tantalum, iron and nickel and being present in a thickness sufficient to protect the first metal film and avoid significant reduction of reflectance during heat forming of the mirror.

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 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 method and apparatus for curvature-resistant micro-mirror structures to reduce light beam coupling loss due to mirror curvature in free-space micro-machined optical switches is presented. As a significant contributor to light beam coupling loss is the curvature of the micro-mirrors in these cross-connect systems, an improved thick mirror slab utilizing a phosopho-silicate glass (PSG) core is constructed. The PSG core is sandwiched between two poly-silicon layers, thus providing an enhanced, bending-resistant structure which protects the PSG core from the release etchant used in surface micro-machining and substantially reduces mirror curvature. The reflective layer is laid down on top of the enhanced, bending-resistant structure.

Abstract: A reflecting film is made by forming resin layers on both sides of a metal thin film, and using a colorless, transparent, and optically isotropic material at least in one resin layer. A reflecting film is made by forming a metal thin film on one side of a resin film, and forming a colorless, transparent, and optically isotropic resin coat layer on its surface by printing or other method. A mirror having such a reflecting film is mounted on a frame. A projection type image magnifying apparatus for liquid crystal panel and a projection type image magnifying apparatus for CRT, improved in resolution and contrast ratio, is obtained by using such mirror as an image reflecting mirror.

Abstract: A method for forming a metallic mirror surface on a receiving surface, comprises the steps of cleaning the receiving surface to be coated with a metallic mirror surface; spraying on the receiving surface an activating treatment agent containing stannous chloride and at least one precious metal salt of palladium, gold and silver or the like; and separately spraying concurrently on the receiving surface, a reacting metallic salt solution and a reducing agent solution to form the metallic mirror surface. The method may include the step of treating the receiving surface with a water wash treatment. The activating treatment agent may be in a solution form and contain about 10 cc to about 44 cc of hydrochloric acid, about 1.5 g to about 5 g of stannous chloride and about 0.001 g to about 0.005 g of palladium chloride per 1 liter of water.

Abstract: A method for making polymeric reflectors and parabolic reflectors in particular. The reflector is made by forming a series of layers (12, 14, 16, 18, and 20) that are progressively thinner with the final polymeric layer (20) being about one millimeter in thickness. The reflector is then coated with a reflective layer (22) by vapor deposition. To make a parabolic reflector, the layers are spun cast at a constant, preselected rate throughout the process, including during the curing of each layer. Layer formation is made in a controlled, particulate-free environment and additives can be used to increase stiffness, decrease weight, and reduce stresses during curing.

Abstract: A reflector apparatus with a reflector, in particular a parabolic mirror, with a plastic layer, on which a plastic sheet with a metal structure is provided, and with a casing consisting of two hollow cylinders which can be arranged inside one another and between which the reflector is held is provided, wherein the reflector comprises a further plastic layer which forms a substantially hollow cylindrical collar on the edge of the reflector and wherein this collar is held between the hollow cylinders of the casing.

Abstract: An optical reflection panel made of thermosetting plastic material as a substrate is disclosed. One surface of the substrate is coated with an adherent layer and then an optical reflecting layer is formed on the adherent layer as a reflecting surface for reflecting a light beam. The other surface of the substrate is formed with a reinforcing structure. The reinforcing structure serves to increase the mechanical strength of the optical reflection panel and control the deformation amount. The reinforcing structure includes a number of reinforcing ribs extending along the longitudinal axis of the optical reflection panel and a number of reinforcing ribs perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the optical reflection panel.

Abstract: A high precision composite optical mirror substrate comprising a lightweight reticulated foam core which is less than about 25 percent dense, an initially separate dense or small pore size faceplate mounted to the core, and a continuous formed in situ encapsulating coating. The coating fully encapsulates the ligaments throughout the reticulated foam core, the juncture between the core and the faceplate, and the faceplate, including the exposed face of the faceplate (the mirror surface). The exposed face of the dense faceplate is shaped to about the desired mirror surface shape. The deposit of coating material on the exposed face of the faceplate is near net shape to the desired mirror surface. The physical characteristics of the composite substrate are dominated by the properties of the coating material. When the coating material is a chemical vapor deposit of silicon carbide, the interlayer is preferably graphite with a thermal expansion coefficient that closely matches that of the silicon carbide.

Abstract: A reflecting film is made by forming resin layers on both sides of a metal thin film, and using a colorless, transparent, and optically isotropic material at least in one resin layer. A reflecting film is made by forming a metal thin film on one side of a resin film, and forming a colorless, transparent, and optically isotropic resin coat layer on its surface by printing or other method. A mirror having such a reflecting film is mounted on a frame. A projection type image magnifying apparatus for liquid crystal panel and a projection type image magnifying apparatus for CRT, improved in resolution and contrast ratio, is obtained by using such mirror as an image reflecting mirror.

Abstract: An inexpensive lightweight mirror blank having good dimensional stability, and a method of making the same is provided. The mirror blank includes an extruded ceramic honeycomb core and a faceplate bonded or otherwise affixed to the front surface of the core. The extruded honeycomb core is comprised of a matrix of cell walls defining an array of cells, with the number of cells being greater than about 16 cells per square inch, to render the core extremely light in weight yet sufficiently rigid and strong to support the optical faceplate. The faceplate is formed from a material that is capable of being polished to an optical surface. An optional back plate can be bonded or otherwise affixed to the back surface of the core in order to improve stiffness and mechanical stability of the mirror blank.

Abstract: A portable mirror suitable for storage in a credit card pocket which includes a generally sheet like flexible shatter resistant body having a reflective surface on one side of said sheet to provide a mirrored surface. The opposite rear unreflective surface of the mirror contains discretionary visible indicia. The mirror is rectangular in shape and has rounded or beveled corners with said mirror being up to 3/32 inches in thickness and having the general size of a credit card. The mirror body is made of a plastic material having a flexibility and elasticity sufficient to allow for repeated bending without breaking or losing its original shape.