Abstract: The durability and abrasion resistance of nano-structured optical surfaces, particularly those formed of or on polymeric substrate, are enhanced by at least one of adhering to it a fluorinated carbon molecule or other reactive lube composition as a monolayer coating (or a thin and substantially uniform multi-layer coating) and by treatment with a surface-active cross-linking agent.

Abstract: A mirror includes: a substrate having a surface; and a thin-film finish layer provided over the surface of the substrate and having on a side thereof opposite from the substrate a surface with a polished finish. According to a different aspect of the invention, a method of making a mirror includes: providing a substrate having a surface thereon; forming a thin-film finish layer over the surface of the substrate using thin-film techniques, the finish layer having a surface on a side thereof opposite from the substrate; and polishing the surface of the finish layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing an object which has optical layers. According to the invention such a process comprises the following process steps: To a substrate of plastic material several optical layers are applied; the optical layers are applied by means of a chemical plasma-impulse vaporization (PICVC).

Abstract: A metallic mirror comprising a substrate made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy, and superposingly provided thereon, in order, an intermediate TiO2 layer and a metallic reflective in layer. The metallic mirror may be a metallic mirror which further comprises a protective layer including at least an Al2O3 layer formed by vacuum deposition on the metallic reflective layer. Also disclosed is a process for producing a metallic mirror, comprising the steps of forming the intermediate layer by vacuum deposition on a metallic polygonal mirror substrate metal, forming the metallic reflective Cu layer by vacuum deposition on the intermediate layer, and forming the protective layer by vacuum deposition on the metallic reflective layer.

Abstract: A light reflector formed of a biaxially-stretched film which contains a thermoplastic resin and a filler and has an opacity of at least 95%, a whiteness of at least 90%, a reflectance R0 of at least 92%, and an areal draw ratio of from 22 to 80 times, wherein the color difference ?EH, after irradiated with a metal halide lamp spaced from the light reflector by 10 cm under an environmental condition of 83° C. and a relative humidity of 50% and at an intensity of radiation of 90 mW/cm2 for 10 hours, is at most 10. The reflector is free from the trouble of yellowing as in white polyester films heretofore used in reflectors and is stable against color change for a long period of time.

Abstract: A MEM device in accordance with the invention comprises one or more movable micro-structures which are preferably ribbon structures or cantilever structures. The ribbon structures or cantilever structures are preferably coupled to a substrate structure through one or more support regions comprising a plurality of anchor support features and a plurality of post support features. The MEM device is preferably an optical MEM device with a plurality of movable ribbon structures each being supported by opposing ends through support regions each comprising a plurality of anchor support features and a plurality of post support features. In accordance with the method of the embodiments, the positions of the anchor and post support features, the number of anchor and support features and the spacings between the support features can selected during fabrication of the device to determine an operating condition of the MEM device.

Abstract: A reflecting mirror comprising a sheet of an alkali metal-zinc-borosilicate glass bonded to a reflecting surface, the glass sheet having a thickness less than 0.5 mm, and being doped with Nd2O3 in an amount sufficient to substantially reduce the spectral transmission of the glass in the wavelength range of 565-595 nm.

Abstract: A reflector with high total reflection which is resistant to mechanical stresses. The reflector comprises a reflector body and superimposed thereon (a) a functional coating such as a varnish, (b) a reflecting layer structure composed of a reflecting metallic layer and optionally arranged thereon one or several transparent ceramic layers, for example, layers having an optical depth of ?/2. The reflecting layer structure contains, as its surface layer, a protective layer. The protective layer is a silicon oxide of general formula SiOx, wherein x is a number from 1.1 to 2.0, or it is aluminum oxide of formula Al2O3, in a thickness of 3 nm or more. The protective layer protects the underlying layers from mechanical damages. In the DIN 58196 abrasion test the protected surface does not show any damages after 50 test cycles with 100 abrasion strokes.

Abstract: A metal salt solution for use as a metal salt solution for forming a metallic mirror surface on a receiving surface is shown. The metal salt solution contains about 6.0 g to about 25 g of sodium hydroxide, about 20 g to about 70 g of ammonia and about 2 g to about 20 g of silver nitrate per 1 liter of water. The receiving surface is treated with an activating treatment agent solution containing stannous chloride and at least one precious metal salt of palladium, gold, silver and platinum followed by a concurrent application of the above reacting metal salt solution and reducing agent solution to form a metallic mirror surface on the receiving surface.

Abstract: A color shifting multilayer interference film is provided which may be used to produce foils or flakes for use in pigment compositions and colorants having color shifting properties. The flakes can be interspersed into a pigment medium to form paints, inks, or cosmetic preparations which can subsequently be applied to objects, papers, or people. Three and five layer designs of the interference film include alternating layers of a dielectric material and carbon in various configurations. 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 angle changes.

Abstract: A color shifting multilayer interference film is provided which may be used to produce foils or flakes for use in pigment compositions and colorants having color shifting properties. The flakes can be interspersed into a pigment medium to form paints, inks, or cosmetic preparations which can be subsequently be applied to objects, papers, or people. Three and five layer designs of the interference film include alternating layers of a dielectric material and carbon in various configurations. 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 angle changes.

Abstract: In the present invention, there is disclosed a reflective mirror whose contrast or resolution performance is equal to that of a surface mirror of a glass mirror for general use and which does not have any problem in reliability of resistance to environment and whose color shift or brightness performance is inhibited from being degraded. For this, in the present invention, a reflective film is formed on a glass substrate by use of silver mirror reaction, and a topcoat is formed of a colorless/transparent resin. At this time, a wavelength of a crest of a ripple indicated by a reflectance characteristic is constituted to substantially agree with that of a green luminescent line. Accordingly, a back projection type video display device which is satisfactory in the contrast or resolution performance can be prepared.

Abstract: Self-shadowed microelectromechanical structures such as self-shadowed bond pads, fuses and compliant members and a method of fabricating self-shadowing microelectromechanical structures that anticipate and accommodate blanket metalization process steps are disclosed. In one embodiment, a self-shadowed bond pad (10) configured for shadowing an exposed end (44A) of a shielded interconnect line (44) connected to the bond pad (10) from undesired metalization during a metalization fabrication process step includes electrically connected overlaying first, second and third bond pad areas (42, 72, 92) patterned from respective first, second and third layers (40, 70, 90) of material deposited on a substrate (20). The exposed end (44A) of the interconnect line (44) abuts an edge of the first bond pad area (42).

Abstract: The luminaire comprises a reflector body (1) which has a reflecting coating (2) on its reflection side (3), and means (4) for accommodating an electric lamp on the reflection side (3). The reflection side (3) has an area (31) with a metal reflecting surface. The area (31) may have a metal sheet cover (32). The cover (32) may follow the surface of the area (31), or it may be spaced apart therefrom. The luminaire benefits from the low absorption of light by the coating (2), and from the high specular reflection of metal in the area (31) to give a high light intensity in a direction determined by the position of the area (31) with respect to a lamp accommodated by the means (4).

Abstract: A unique reflective surface is employed to compensate polarization dependence of optical taps. Specifically, the reflective surface compensates optical tap induced polarization by employing the intrinsic properties of metals rather than complex thin film stacks. To this end, a reflective thin metal film or a polished reflective metal surface may be employed. In a particular embodiment of the invention, a reflective surface that is coated with a single dielectric thin film can also be employed. In one example, the metal is preferably tungsten because it exhibits a large difference in the spread of reflectance between the s and p polarization states.

Abstract: A mirror which reflects input light from a lens which focuses light emitted from a VIPA, and returns the light to the lens is constituted as a multi-faced mirror including multiple reflection surfaces in the traveling direction of the input light which individually reflect light with a different wavelength, and have a different shape. As a result, an apparatus which has a small optical loss, and generates a different wavelength dispersion depending on a channel signal wavelength of a WDM signal.

Abstract: Multilayer polymeric films and other optical bodies are provided which is useful in making colored mirrors and polarizers. The films are characterized by a change in color as a function of viewing angle.

Abstract: A first surface mirror includes a reflective layer (e.g., Al or Ag), at least one dielectric layer and at least one protective layer of or including high density diamond-like carbon (DLC). The high density DLC enables the protective layer to be applied at a relatively small thickness which enables undesirable color often associated with DLC to be prevented or minimized, while at the same time good protective characteristics (e.g., scratch resistance) can be realized.

Abstract: A universally oriented liquid mirror. A liquid and a penetrable unit are operatively connected to provide a mirror that can be universally oriented.

Abstract: A subject for the invention is to provide a lens which is lightweight and inexpensive and, despite this, which is large and has a high-precision aspherical reflecting surface reduced in distortion. The invention provides: a projection lens comprising a resin base having a given curved surface and a reflecting layer formed over the surface of the resin base, characterized in that the average of in-plane birefringent phase differences per unit thickness as measured with incident light from the direction perpendicular to the curved optical functional surface of the resin base is 30 nm/mm or less in a region accounting for at least 60% of the area of the optical functional surface; or a projection lens having a reflecting layer on an optical-function-imparted surface, wherein at least 60% of the optical-function-imparted surface has a surface roughness (Ra) of 200 Å or lower.

Abstract: A unique reflective surface is employed to compensate polarization dependence of optical taps. Specifically, the reflective surface compensates optical tap induced polarization by employing the intrinsic properties of metals rather than complex thin film stacks. To this end, a reflective thin metal film or a polished reflective metal surface may be employed. In a particular embodiment of the invention, a reflective surface that is coated with a single dielectric thin film can also be employed. In one example, the metal is preferably tungsten because it exhibits a large difference in the spread of reflectance between the s and p polarization states.

Abstract: A polarized light irradiation apparatus, having at least two plane mirrors, is constructed to prevent reduction of the extinction ratio of the polarized light that irradiates a substrate when there is a change of the direction of polarization of the polarized light that is incident on a reflecting mirror. This is accomplished by forming a protection layer on the surface of the second plane mirror, and selecting the material and optical thickness of the layer in accordance with the angle of incidence and wavelength of the polarized light so that the difference &Dgr; of the phase shifts of the polarization P component and the polarization S component emerging from the second plane mirror satisfies the condition that &Dgr;≦±20°. By doing this, there will be no reduction of the extinction ratio of the polarized light that irradiates the substrate W if there is a change in the polarization direction of the polarized light that is incident on the second plane mirror.

Abstract: A mirror for use in an exposure system of this invention includes a reflection layer for reflecting EUV formed on a mirror substrate and an absorption layer formed on the reflection layer and made from a compound for absorbing infrared light.

Abstract: A reflector with high total reflection which is resistant to mechanical stresses. The reflector includes a reflector body and superimposed thereon (a) a functional coating such as a varnish, (b) a reflecting layer structure composed of a reflecting metallic layer and optionally arranged thereon one or several transparent ceramic layers, for example, layers having an optical depth of &lgr;/2. The reflecting layer structure contains, as its surface layer, a protective layer. The protective layer is a silicon oxide of general formula SiOx, wherein x is a number from 1.1 to 2.0, or it is aluminum oxide of formula Al2O3, in a thickness of 3 nm or more. The protective layer protects the underlying layers from mechanical damages. In the DIN 58196 abrasion test the protected surface does not show any damages after 50 test cycles with 100 abrasion strokes.

Abstract: A pixel electrode and a thin film transistor connected to the electrode are provided above one substrate. A shading film is provided above another substrate. The shading film has an overhanging portion defining a corner cutting in an opening area of each pixel in the crossing area where the data line and the scan line cross with each other. A channel region of the thin film transistor is arranged in the crossing areas. Thus, light resistance is enhanced and a high-grade image is displayed in an electro-optical apparatus.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a sidelight type backlighting apparatus having high brightness, which is yet reduced in uneven brightness, and to provide a reflector substrate having a surface profile necessary for obtaining such apparatus and a reflector having high brightness and long durability in which the reflector substrate is implemented. A buffer against strain is formed by providing space by protrusions or the like between a light guiding plate of a planar light source apparatus and a reflecting surface of a reflection sheet provided on one main surface of the light guiding plate. Further, a base layer, a metallic layer mainly containing silver, and a light transmitting oxide layer are laminated on the substrate in this order to form a reflection layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a reflective optical element being excellent in reflectivity and transmittance having a metallic thin film being excellent in durability and abrasion resistance wherein, in the reflective optical element in which light impinges in the transparent substrate and projects out after repeating reflection on the back plane, the reflection plane is formed by laminating the transparent substrate, metallic thin film and amorphous fluorocarbon resin in this order while forming a layer of the amorphous fluorocarbon resin on the incident and projection planes simultaneously with forming the layer on the outermost layer to allow durability and abrasion resistance to be improved with the amorphous fluorocarbon resin on the reflection plane, silver being deposited on the metallic layer by electroless plating in depositing the films while the amorphous fluorocarbon resin being preferably deposited by a wet film-deposition method such as a dip-coating method.

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 process for producing an object which has optical layers comprising the steps of applying optical layers to a substrate of plastic material wherein the optical layers are applied by means of a chemical plasma-impulse vaporization process (PICVD).

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 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: Optical interleavers and de-interleavers that can be used to combine and separate optical signals are described. These devices are based on Mach-Zehnder interferometers having one or two Gires-Toumois mirrors. The optical designs disclosed herein include several key improvements over prior arts. These improvements of interleavers enabled lower cross talk and more accurate channel center frequencies. The new designs also improve on the stability of the devices and substantially reduce the manufacturing costs. With the usage of multi-fiber collimators, a pair of interleaver and de-interleaver is fabricated using the same optical block thereby further reducing the manufacturing costs.

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 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: There is provided a reflecting mirror for use in a rear projection display and so on, comprising a glass substrate at least one surface of which is polished to have a predetermined surface waviness (0.05 &mgr;m or less on the measurement condition that the cut-off value is 0.8 mm to 8 mm), and a reflecting film which is formed on the polished surface of the glass substrate by film-forming in order of aluminum (Al), magnesium fluoride (MgF2) and titanium dioxide (TiO2). As a result, it is possible to obtain a reflecting mirror wherein any pattern of light and shade in an image projected on a screen which occurs due to the difference in light intensity resultant from irregularities in the mirror are prevented, and thereby the image quality can be improved.

Abstract: A mirror of an aged appearance is produced by antiquing an unaged mirror. The antiquing is accomplished by first removing a primer layer which overlies the silvered back of the mirror to expose a rear silvered surface. The rear silvered surface is then distressed by applying a patina which removes portions of the surface, preferably more in peripheral areas then in the interior area of the silvered back. A cardboard back panel which has been painted with a mixture of black paint, brown paint, and aluminum particles is then mounted against the distressed silver surface.

Abstract: A laminated film including two polyester films each having a thermal shrinkage. A metal layer is deposited on one surface of at least one of the polyester films which are secured together using a laminating adhesive to form a laminated reflector film. In one embodiment in which the laminated film is used to manufacture a thin film mirror using a wrap around technique, the thickness of each of the polyester films is less than or equal to approximately 0.001 inch and a total combined thickness of less than or equal to approximately 0.002 inch (50 microns) thick. Preferably, each polyester film has a thickness of approximately 0.0005 inch and a total thickness of approximately 0.001 inch. Alternatively, the laminated film may be used to manufacture a thin film mirror using a face bond technique, wherein the total combined thickness of the two polyester films is less than or equal to approximately 0.004 inch, preferably the total thickness is less than or equal to approximately 0.003 inch.

Abstract: Spherical and non-spherical optical elements produced by standard optical figuring and polishing techniques are extremely expensive. Such surfaces can be cheaply produced by diamond turning; however, the roughness in the diamond turned surface prevent their use for EUV lithography. These ripples are smoothed with a coating of polyimide before applying a 60 period Mo/Si multilayer to reflect a wavelength of 134 Å and have obtained peak reflectivities close to 63%. The savings in cost are about a factor of 100.

Abstract: A no base coat vehicle headlamp reflector can be improved with a plasma deposited layer of a siloxane material. The siloxane layer acts as an barrier layer formed directly on the vehicle reflector. The vehicle headlamp reflector with no base coat, but an barrier layer yields a resin lamp interior protected from upsets in the reflective layer and from outgasing condensate. The lamp reflector coated with plasma polymer of methanol yields a plastic lamp reflector resistant to condensation forming thereon, and resistant to attach by water vapor.

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 partially transparent, partially reflective curved screen is formed with a thin metal layer supported on a transparent supporting layer. A transparent light absorbing dye or other means for optically absorbing visible light is incorporated in the transparent supporting layer. The screen allows an optical image such as from a TV to be transmitted therethrough with reduced ghost effect.

Abstract: A low-reflection transparent conductive multi layer film to be attached to the front panel of cathode-ray tubes or plasma displays comprising, in the order described, a transparent substrate, a hard coat layer, a transparent conductive layer containing particles comprising at least one of a metal and a metal oxide, and at least one transparent protective layer which has anti-smudge properties, has a refractive index different from that of the transparent conductive layer and comprises a resin having a high dielectric power factor.

Abstract: A reflective device is provided. The reflective device includes a reflective layer and a first region which reflects light to form an image that simulates a change in tooth color of at least a portion of a viewer's tooth.

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: An illumination apparatus and a projection type image display apparatus are provided. The illumination apparatus comprises a light source section, a color reflector, and light quantity homogenizing means. The light source section is constituted by an illuminant and a light converging portion for converging a luminous flux from the illuminant. The color reflector comprises a rotary reflecting member disposed at a position where the luminous flux from the light source section is converged. The rotary reflecting member reflects only a specific wavelength component in the luminous flux according to an angle of rotation from a reference position. The light quantity homogenizing means homogenizes the light quantity of the luminous flux reflected by the color reflector.

Abstract: Motor vehicle windshields and safety glazing material, suitable for use as motor vehicle windshields and safety glazing material for automobiles, trucks, buses, motorcycles, locomotives. sport utility vehicles, all terrain vehicles, and vans. The motor vehicle windshields and safety glazing material contains Neodymium Oxide, a rare earth compound. The Neodymium Oxide filters out the yellow portion of the spectrum, reducing glare. Incorporation of yellow light in the spectrum desaturates colors and reduces contrast. Improvement in contrast and a reduction in glare permits, for example, a motor vehicle driver to better discriminate the contrast of objects when there is no daylight and the only illumination is artificial. For drivers, in particular, elimination of the yellow light lessens eye strain currently resulting from light emitted by the conventional headlights of oncoming vehicles during hours of darkness. Neodymium Oxide can also be added to safety glazing materials for use in bullet resistant shields.

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: 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.