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 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: 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 vehicular rearview mirror system includes an interior rearview mirror system having an electrochromic reflective element, a digital electrochromic drive circuit supplying a drive signal to the reflective element and a garage door opener. The garage door opener includes a transmitter and logic circuit. The logic circuit supplies signals to the transmitter for transmitting garage door opening signals. A microcontroller is provided which defines, at least in part, the digital drive circuit and logic circuit. In this manner, the digital electrochromic mirror system and the garage door opener have at least some components in common. The microcontroller communicates over a vehicle network with at least one module performing at least one other vehicle function. The vehicle network may have at least wired interconnections and may further have wireless interconnections.

Abstract: A reflector is used with an electric distance meter, for measuring a distance of two positions. The reflector includes a reflecting member which reflects an incident light in parallel to the direction of incidence, and a selective transmission member provided to a light-incident surface of the reflecting member. The selective transmission member allows infrared ray to pass, while the selective transmission member prevents visible light from passing.

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 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: Coated articles having optically useful reflective properties suitable for manufacture of components of lighting fixtures and the like including parabolic louvers utilized as primary elements of fluorescent parabolic troffer lighting fixtures, the invention provides light sheets formed of said coated articles and used in the manufacture of lighting fixtures, the reflective lighting components formed from said light sheets and the coated articles including the coatings utilized for coating optically reflective substrates according to the invention. The coated articles are formed of reflective substrates and particularly polished metal substrates having reflectance values within a predetermined useful range, the substrates being coated preferably with a thin polymeric coating wherein the base polymer is polyester, polycarbonate, epoxy, acrylic, acrylate, etc.

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: 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 method is disclosed for reducing or eliminating the wavefront error caused by variations in the thickness of an optical coating applied to a mirror without requiring that the thickness variation in the optical coating be reduced to reduce the wavefront error. The reduction in the wavefront error is achieved by adding a compensating layer to the top of the optical coating. The thickness of the compensating layer is directly proportional to the thickness of the optical coating and inversely proportional to one minus the index of refraction of the material used for the compensating layer.

Abstract: An apparatus and method disclosed herein can be utilized in all DMA-based optical systems, such as imaging and projection devices, in order to improve light efficiency and brightness by a significant factor and maintain good contrast. This feature is especially important in night vision systems and other low light applications. A means is provided of masking a designated area of light collected by the system objective lens in order to eliminate light collected from “flat” or “off” state micromirrors that would degrade the image quality produced. The masked objective lens, with a larger aperture, enhances the light collection from micromirrors in the “on” state only.

Abstract: The reflective backing of a mirror or other product is marked, engraved, scribed, or decorated with a laser beam to produce a decorative display assembly with a laser-enhanced image thereon. This can be accomplished by vaporizing part of the reflective backing with the laser beam. Multi-colored laser-enhanced images can also be formed. The decorative display assembly can also be backlit or back colored to further enhance the attractiveness of the laser-enhanced image.

Abstract: According to the proposed invention, this technical result is achieved so that many-facet concentrator of a solar setup for exposure of objects, placed in a target plane, to the action of solar radiation containing a supporting frame and facets differing by that the facets of the concentrator are chosen with spherical focusing reflective surfaces of equal focal lengths and with selective coatings reflecting a desired spectral fraction of solar radiation, and are arranged on the supporting frame symmetrically with respect to the common axis of the concentrator, their optical axes being directed to the single point on the optical axis of the concentrator located before the nominal focus point of the concentrator and determining the position of arranging the target plane.

Abstract: In a method and device for removing light by absorption, undesired light is guided by a light entrance aperture into a hollow body having a light-absorbing inner surface. The light which is directed into the hollow body falls onto the reflection surface of a reflector. The reflection surface is configured and positioned in such a way that the light which is reflected back from the reflection surface is not reflected in itself, that only a minor amount of said light does not reach the outside as scattered light via the light entrance aperture and that a substantial amount of the light reaches the inside of the hollow body where it is absorbed. The invention finds particular use in an electronic recording device for point and line elimination of a recording material with a laser beam, wherein an undesired secondary beam is absorbed according to the inventive method in order to avoid disturbing retroreflections.

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 signal light including a housing is recessed into a traffic surface and projects minimally upwardly from the surface and wherein a light processing assembly is provided to receive light from a light source, intensify the light and direct the light toward a light outlet in a generally linear manner, the arrangement for processing light being mounted to the housing. For this purpose, the light source is designed in such a way that it sends an essentially linearly directed light beam onto the light processing assembly. The light is collected in the light processing assembly in such a way that, when it exits, it is still linearly extending in at least one direction but it has a higher intensity. For this purpose, the light processing assembly includes a cylindrical-convex lens entry surface and a cylindrical concave mirror surface for receiving and directing light.

Abstract: Coated articles having optically useful reflective properties suitable for manufacture of components of lighting fixtures and the like including parabolic louvers utilized as primary elements of fluorescent parabolic troffer lighting fixtures, the invention provides light sheets formed of said coated articles and used in the manufacture of lighting fixtures, the reflective lighting components formed from said light sheets and the coated articles including the coatings utilized for coating optically reflective substrates according to the invention. The coated articles are formed of reflective substrates and particularly polished metal substrates having reflectance values within a predetermined useful range, the substrates being coated preferably with a thin polymeric coating wherein the base polymer is polyester, polycarbonate, epoxy, acrylic, acrylate, etc.

Abstract: The present invention contemplates a metallized reflector containing an UV-curable basecoat, as well as the basecoat composition itself and a basecoat concentrate composition. The reflector comprises a reflector body formed of a solid matrix having a surface area on which to form a reflective coating and having at least one aperture defined in the surface area for receiving a lamp bulb. An UV-cured basecoat that comprises a cured urethane-free composition of a polyacrylate monomer and a reactive acrylic oligomer is adhered to that surface area. A metal film is adhered to said basecoat to form a reflector surface that is over-coated with a clear, protective 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 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: 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.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved modelocked laser comprising an optical gain medium and an optical cavity including a self-tuning saturable reflector incorporating one or more quantum wells. In the improved laser, the self-tuning saturable reflector comprises a first Bragg grating having a reflection spectrum broader than the spectrum of desired lasing and an additional Bragg reflector for light in the spectral region of lasing to provide self-starting and stable operation without mechanical tuning. The Bragg reflectors are preferably semiconductor quarter wave reflector stacks, and the saturable absorber is one or more quantum wells within the outer stack. The invention also encompasses the new saturable reflector used in such lasers.

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 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 oxidizes 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 metal-coated multilayer mirror having high reflectivity and high specularity. The mirror comprises a multilayered polymer film and a reflective metal layer. The multilayered polymer film preferably comprises layers of a crystalline, semi-crystalline, or liquid crystalline material, such as a naphthalene dicarboxylic acid polyester, having an average thickness of not more than 0.5 microns and layers of a second polymer having an average thickness of not more than 0.5 microns. Preferably, the layers of semi-crystalline naphthalene dicarboxylic acid polyester have a positive stress optical coefficient. The reflective metal layer comprises a metal selected from the group consisting of silver, gold, aluminum, nickel, copper, and titanium, with silver and aluminum being particularly preferred. The metal-coated multilayer mirrors are useful in applications requiring broad bandwidth reflection, high specularity, low manufacturing costs, and high reflectivity.

Abstract: A durable multilayer mirror includes reflective layers of aluminum and silver and has high reflectance over a broad spectral range from ultraviolet to visible to infrared. An adhesion layer of a nickel and/or chromium alloy or nitride is deposited on an aluminum surface, and a thin layer of silver is then deposited on the adhesion layer. The silver layer is protected by a passivation layer of a nickel and/or chromium alloy or nitride and by one or more durability layers made of metal oxides and typically a first layer of metal nitride. The durability layers may include a composite silicon aluminum nitride and an oxinitride transition layer to improve bonding between nitride and oxide layers.

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: Reflector having a composite reflectivity-enhancing layer as reflecting surface layer on a reflector body where the said composite layer has an outer layer facing the radiation to be reflected, the HI-layer, with a refractive index n.sub.2, and, between the reflector body and the outer layer, an LI-layer with a refractive index n.sub.1 which is smaller than n.sub.2 and the LI and HI layers are .lambda./4 layers. The HI-layer is a sol-gel layer 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.+-.20 nm, i=1 or 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 wavelength in nm of the light striking the reflector surface and l.sub.1, l.sub.2 are uneven natural numbers. The LI layer is a barrier layer of aluminium oxide made by anodising, or a sol-gel layer.

Abstract: A mirror assembly including a semitransparent mirror which passes about 1% to about 30% of a broad band of visible light, and which reflects less than about 80% of a broad band of visible light; and a light assembly positioned adjacent to the semitransparent mirror and which emits visible light which is passed by the semitransparent mirror, the luminous intensity of the mirror assembly being about 0.5 to about 120 candelas.

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 photolithographic projection system for selectively irradiating a photosensitive layer on a wafer according to a predetermined pattern on a mask is discussed. The photolithographic projection system includes a radiation source which generates radiation such as light. A reflector reflects the radiation from the radiation source on a path which intersects the wafer. This reflector includes a radiation reflecting portion and a phase-shifting and partially reflecting portion adjacent the radiation reflecting portion. The reflecting portion may include a plurality of reflecting portions surrounded by the absorbing portion, or the reflecting portion may surround the absorbing portion. Alternately, the reflector may include a reflecting portion and an absorbing portion adjacent the reflecting portion. Related methods are also discussed.

Abstract: Reflector having a composite reflectivity-enhancing layer as reflecting surface layer on a reflector body where the composite layer has an outer layer facing the radiation to be reflected, the HI-layer, with a refractive index n.sub.2, and, between the reflector body and the outer layer, an LI-layer with a refractive index n.sub.1 which is smaller than n.sub.2 and the LI and HI layers are .lambda./4 layers. The HI layer is a sol-gel layer 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.+-.20 nm, i=1 or 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 wavelength in nm of the light striking the reflector surface and l.sub.1, l.sub.2 are uneven natural numbers. The LI layer is a barrier layer of aluminium oxide made by anodizing, or a sol-gel layer.

Abstract: An antiglare inner mirror includes a housing which is supported by a stay and is capable of inclining by an inclining device. A mirror main body is mounted on a front opening portion of the housing. The mirror main body includes a front glass, a hologram element and a seal glass bonded integrally together. A reflecting film is formed on the rear surface of the seal glass. The hologram element consists of a reflecting type hologram element having a reflecting plane made of interference fringes which is arranged non-parallel to the front surface of the hologram element. Incident light from outside is reflected both by the reflecting film and by the interference fringes of the hologram element to form rays of light reflected in different directions.

Abstract: A concentrating coverglass allows efficient power generation for providing higher specific powers by space power arrays with weight penalties being countered by combining the functions of a solar concentrator and protective coverglass into a single element. A preferred frustoconical lens achieves a concentration ratio of about 4.5 at a thickness of about 1.0 mm. Efficient space power arrays with relatively wide tracking angle tolerance of up to about .+-.5.degree. using these coverglasses permit heavier payloads in the satellite's operating systems over traditional satellite designs.

Abstract: A rear-view mirror for indicating to an operator of a vehicle the distance between his vehicle and another vehicle trailing therebehind. The device includes a substrate having a reflective surface and indicia thereon, wherein the indicia is dimensioned such that an image of the trailing vehicle substantially "fills" a spacing between opposing portions or segments of the indicia as the trailing vehicle is spaced a predetermined distance therebehind. The indicia may be non-illuminated for daytime use or may be illuminated for nighttime use. The indicia may have a variety of different configurations and may be configured to provide information to the operator of the vehicle as to a plurality of predetermined trailing distances for a plurality of types of trailing vehicles.

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 deflection mirror tower (DMT) of a multiple-disk array, optical storage system includes a plurality of prism members, each having an angular mirror surface, arranged along a vertical axis of the DMT and configured at a predetermined angular orientation to deflect a laser beam to a respective disk surface. The DMT is generally fabricated using a two-level partitioning process. Several prepared glass substrates, i.e., one for each mirror type, are initially sliced into bars having predetermined geometries. A bar from each substrate is sequentially aligned to a master reference and bonded to adjacent bars to form an intermediate bar stack. The stack is then segmented into a plurality of DMT components, each having a plurality of prism members.

Abstract: An optical filter that uses multiple reflections to provide spectral bandpass filtering of ultraviolet, visible and infrared radiation with a very high transmission of wavelengths within a selected passband coupled with exceptional off-band rejection. The reflection filter uses dielectric-coated spherical reflectors or mirrors manufactured with absorbing glass substrates. The multiple-pass feature of the reflection filter is achieved using a traditional long-path absorption cell such as a White Cell or Wilkes Cell. The light transmitted through the reflection filter is only that light which has undergone multiple reflections as the wavelengths of high mirror reflectivity reflect off the dielectric-coated substrates. All remaining light at wavelengths corresponding to high mirror transmission is attenuated by absorption in the mirror substrate.

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 with SnF.sub.2 and activation with PdCl.sub.2 /HCl. The Ni-P layer is deposited in 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 by e-beam deposition 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 on 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 rearview mirror suitable for use as a rearview mirror for land, water and aircraft and motor vehicles in particular. The glass mirror includes glass containing Neodymium Oxide, a rare earth compound. The Neodymium Oxide filters out the naturally occurring yellow light produced by a hot incandescent filament, thereby producing a color-corrected light. Yellow light contributes to a lack of contrast. Improvement in contrast 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 excessive yellow light lessens eyestrain currently resulting from light emitted by the conventional headlights of vehicles in the rearview mirror during hours of darkness. Additionally, the Neodymium Oxide in the glass will filter out the yellow light from the rising or setting sun in the rearview mirror.

Abstract: A vehicle mirror assembly includes a mirror glass, a mirror support plate, and a moistureproof adhesive disposed circumferentially around the mirror glass between at least a portion of the outside edge of the mirror glass and the mirror support plate to secure the mirror glass to the mirror support plate and to preclude moisture from outside the assembly from contacting the portion of the outside edge of the mirror glass. The adhesive may be a high viscosity adhesive, with a low viscosity adhesive being disposed between the mirror glass and the mirror plate and substantially surrounded by the high viscosity adhesive. Corresponding methods for manufacturing such vehicle mirror assemblies are also included.

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: 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: 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.