Abstract: An improved apparatus for illuminating a display, such as a lens, includes a source of nonwhite light of a first color at an energy level which can be perceived by the human eye. The nonwhite light of a first color is reflected from a reflector to obtain white light. In one embodiment of the invention, the nonwhite light source was a solid state device (light emitting diode) which produced blue light at a high-energy level and green and red light at relatively low energy levels with the result that the green and red light could not be perceived by a human eye simultaneously with the blue light. The light from the solid state light source was reflected from a reflector having a gold (yellow) reflecting surface. The light reflected from the reflecting surface interfered with light emitted directly form the solid state light source with a chromatic shift of light energy. The resulting light from the reflector was white light.

Abstract: A method of producing mirrors comprising depositing onto a ribbon of hot glass during the production process a coating comprising a reflecting layer and at least two reflection enhancing layers whereby the mirrors have a visible light reflection of at least 70%. There is also provided a mirror having such a coating. In a preferred embodiment the coating comprises: an inner layer having a refractive index of at least 1.6; an intermediate layer of relatively low refractive index and; an outer layer having a refractive index of at least 1.6; the intermediate layer having a refractive index less than the refractive index of either said inner layer or said outer layer and less than 3, provided that at least one of said inner and outer layers is of silicon, the aggregate refractive index of the inner and outer layers is at least 5.5, and the thicknesses of the layers are such that the mirror has a visible light reflection of at least 70%.

Abstract: Disclosed is a corrosion-resistant film for protecting the surfaces of Ag, which comprises an Ag--Mg alloy having an Mg content of from 1 to 10 atomic % and which is applied to an Ag substrate. Also disclosed is a corrosion-resistant composite structure composed of an Ag substrate and a protective film of an Ag--Mg alloy with an Mg content of from 1 to 10 atomic % formed on the surface of the Ag substrate. The corrosion-resistant film protects an Ag with a silver-white gloss from being blackened by sulfide components, etc. The adhesiveness between the film and the Ag substrate is good. The composite structure has a high reflectivity and is useful as a reflective film for photo-magnetic recording media, optical recording media, reflectors, illuminators, etc. The surface of the corrosion-resisting film is oxidized to form an MgO layer on the film, and the film exhibits a high protecting effect.

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

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

Abstract: A 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 reflection mirror of a projection display unit which displays a stereoscopic image through a light polarization glasses, reflects a linearly polarized light emitted from a projection source through a polarizing plate toward a screen. The reflection mirror includes: a glass substrate; a metal film provided on the glass substrate; a first dielectric film provided on the metal film; and a second dielectric film provided on the first dielectric film, wherein each of the first and second dielectric films includes a predetermined thickness and a predetermined refractive index so that a phase difference between a p-polarized light of a reflected light and a s-polarized light of the reflected light is within a range from -45 degree to 45 degree in case of an incident angle of the linearly polarized light being varied from 0 degree to 45 degree.

Abstract: Disclosed is a corrosion-resistant film for protecting the surfaces of Ag, which comprises an Ag--Mg alloy having an Mg content of from 1 to 10 atomic % and which is applied to an Ag substrate. Also disclosed is a corrosion-resistant composite structure composed of an Ag substrate and a protective film of an Ag--Mg alloy with an Mg content of from 1 to 10 atomic % formed on the surface of the Ag substrate. The corrosion-resistant film protects an Ag with a silver-white gloss from being blackened by sulfide components, etc. The adhesiveness between the film and the Ag substrate is good. The composite structure has a high reflectivity and is useful as a reflective film for photo-magnetic recording media, optical recording media, reflectors, illuminators, etc. The surface of the corrosion-resisting film is oxidized to form an MgO layer on the film, and the film exhibits a high protecting effect.

Abstract: A full color digital scanning system includes a lamp carriage having a light source and a mirror. A mirror carriage is also included with a rotatable corner mirror assembly. The rotatable corner mirror assembly has a first color corner mirror subassembly, a second color corner mirror subassembly, and a third color corner mirror subassembly. The scanning system positions a first color corner mirror on a mirror carriage to provide a 180.degree. cornering function and scans the image to produce image data representing a first color component. The scanning system then positions a second color corner mirror on the mirror carriage to provide a 180.degree. cornering function and scans the image to produce image data representing a second color component. The scanning system further positions a third color corner mirror on the mirror carriage to provide a 180.degree. cornering function and scans the image to produce image data representing a third color component.

Abstract: A mirror coating which provides improved performance characteristics to a mirror assembly and which includes a non-periodic succession of materials which exhibit neutral reflected chromaticity and a luminous reflectance of greater than 50%.

Abstract: A mirror coating which provides improved performance characteristic to a mirror assembly, and which includes a non-periodic succession of materials which exhibit neutral reflected chromaticity, and which has a luminous reflectance of greater than 50%.

Abstract: A vehicle mirror has a mirror housing and a mirror assembly provided in the mirror housing. The mirror assembly includes a glass substrate and a reflecting film made of chromium or aluminum and formed on the back surface of the glass substrate. A panel heater is bonded by adhesive to the back surface of the reflecting film. A hydrophilic film is formed on the front surface of the glass substrate. The hydrophilic film is made of a hydrophilic oxide film such as SiO.sub.2 and functions to spread a waterdrop deposited on the mirror surface in the form of a thin water film.

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

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

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

Abstract: Apparatus for obtaining a desired tint, which apparatus uses a light source to provide a gamut of colours. The apparatus comprises wheel and paddle (34,60) which enable a tint to be obtained from such light in such a manner that the hue and saturation of the tint can be varied substantially independently of one another, whilst maintaining a given brightness. The invention extends to a method using such apparatus, and to equipment comprising a set of coloured filters, and also to a method in which a tint created by a combination of filters selected from a set of filters is varied, by removal, addition, or replacement of one or more filters of the combination, to match the selected tint, and finally to the making of lenses using such methods, and the lenses themselves.

Abstract: A mirror coating which possesses properties which are advantageous for the construction of a mirror assembly. The mirror coating has a complex reflective index which is wavelength dependent, and wherein the real component is dominant and the imaginary component is negligible within a predetermined spectral band pass region, and the imaginary component is substantially within a spectral region other than the predetermined spectral band pass region, and wherein the mirror coating exhibits substantially neutral reflected chromaticity as observed with reflected ambient light.

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

Abstract: A day-night mirror for a vehicle has a first sheet of transparent material, a second sheet adjacent and parallel to the first sheet, the second sheet having a first light reflective surface facing the first sheet. The first and second sheets are joined along a predetermined peripheral region by a first wall of resilient material, and a second wall of flexible material joins the first and second sheets along opposed edge regions. The sheets and walls define a chamber containing a predetermined volume of translucent liquid. A third sheet is positioned within the chamber to move between an active position, with the third sheet between the first and second sheets, and an inactive position, with the third sheet removed from between the first and second sheets. The third sheet, in active position, has a second light reflective surface facing the first sheet, the second light reflective surface differing in light reflectivity from the first light reflective surface.

Abstract: Described are preferred UV curable coating compositions which are suitable for use as basecoats in the production of lamp reflectors. Also described are reflector devices and methods for making them.

Abstract: In a device for driving an EC antiglare mirror in which reflectivity is variably controlled by an EC element, a surrounding light quantity detection circuit detects quantity of light surrounding a vehicle. A rear light quantity detection circuit detects quantity of light in the rear of the vehicle. An oscillation circuit is constructed so that duration of an "H" level of an oscillation signal and duration of an "L" level of the oscillation signal are individually controlled. An inversion period control circuit variably controls duration of one of the "H" and "L" levels of the oscillation signal generated by the oscillation circuit in response to light quantity detected by the surrounding light quantity detection circuit and also variably controls duration of the other level in response to light quantity detected by the rear light quantity detection circuit.

Abstract: A mirror assembly including an enclosure having an aperture, and defining a cavity, an instrument for receiving electromagnetic radiation having predetermined characteristics, borne by the enclosure and positioned in the cavity; and a dichroic mirror borne by the enclosure and disposed in substantially occluding relation relative to the aperture, the dichroic mirror reflecting ambient visible light and being substantially transparent to the light received by the instrument.

Abstract: A vehicular sun visor having a lighted vanity mirror and sliding door is provided with a fixed lens aligned with a lamp at one end of the mirror and a lens which moves with the door into alignment with the lamp at the other end of the mirror. An automatic brightening intensity circuit is provided. Automatic motor drive is also provided for the sliding door.

Abstract: To effectively cut off false signals and false color signals which would occur in an imaging device and also to suppress a reduction in quality of images which would result from a generation of a ring-shaped flare, an optical low pass filter comprises a transparent substrate having first and second surfaces opposite to each other. The optical low pass filter is adapted to be disposed between a photo-taking lens and a solid-state imaging element with the first surface confronting the solid-state imaging element. The first surface of the transparent substrate is formed with a diffraction grating. The transparent substrate used in the optical low pass filter is so designed and so structured as to have a thickness (mm) which satisfies the equation, 2.multidot.g.multidot.tan (.theta.1)+2.multidot.t.multidot.tan (.theta.c)<0.9, wherein g represents the distance of spacing between the first surface of the transparent substrate and an image plane of the solid-state imaging element; .theta.

Abstract: Disclosed is a semiconductor wafer inspection apparatus which effectively prevents an erroneous identification of small pits as particles on a surface of a sample. In such a semiconductor wafer inspection apparatus, a light collecting portion and a reflection adjustment portion having a light reflectance different from a light reflectance of the light collecting portion are included in light collecting means.

Abstract: A deformable mirror device comprises a plurality of groups of colored mirrors responsive to electronic signals. Each group of mirrors is coated with a mixture of resist and dye thereby reflecting specified wavelengths of visible light.

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

Abstract: A high-contrast reflective display for use under high ambient light conditions for individuals wearing sunglasses and particularly polarized sunglasses includes a reflective target for a light emitting source of information to be displayed. The target is a relatively thin transparent polymeric film having a metalized rear reflective surface. The film, in a preferred embodiment, is a Mylar film having a thickness of from about 0.001-0.005 inches with a neutral density tint. The metal coating was aluminum vacuumed deposited on the film layer. The composite target can be adhered to a support using a suitable bonding adhesive applied to the metalized film.

Abstract: A photochromic light control mirror comprises a photochromic substrate having a reflective film deposited at one side thereof. Alternatively, a mirror (i.e., a layer of glass having a reflective film deposited at one side thereof) is coated with a photochromic coating. An ultraviolet light source illuminates the photochromic material to change the reflectance of the mirror. The reflectance can be manually controlled whereby the intensity of the light source is controlled by adjusting the voltage driving the light source. Alternatively, the reflectance can be automatically controlled whereby the intensity of the light source is controlled by a photo detector which varies the voltage driving the light source in response to detected light.

Abstract: An ultraviolet protected, electrochemichromic rearview mirror assembly incorporating an electrochemichromic medium with reduced ultraviolet degradation is disclosed which may incorporate tinted means such as a specialized glass, a dye, and/or a polymer layer.

Abstract: An eye protection device for protection against a broad spectrum of incid high intensity radiation includes a beam splitter which transmits the radiation to a first focusing lens which in turn focuses the radiation on a first mirror. The first mirror has a sacrificial surface which desorbs if the radiation has a predetermined minimum intensity. A second lens receives radiation reflected from the first mirror and directs the beam orthogonally onto a second mirror. The beam reflects off the second mirror and is directed back through the second lens which refocuses the beam onto the surface of the first mirror at the original area. When the initial beam was above the minimum, reflectivity at this location will have been destroyed and the beam will pass harmlessly through the mirror. If the initial beam does not destroy the surface, the beam will be reflected back to the beam splitter and then to a receiving device.

Abstract: A multi-layer graded reflectivity mirror (GRM) with high effective reflectivity is suitable for use in large aperture laser systems with relatively low gain. The GRMs are manufactured with multiple dielectric layers with a thickness profile that eliminates the interference fringes, while providing a reflectivity which tapers smoothly from a peak to zero. The mirror is formed on a substrate having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first. The substrate consists of a material which has low absorption at a given wavelength .lambda.. A first dielectric layer is formed on the first surface of the substrate which has an index of refraction n.sub.1 and having an optical thickness profile with a maximum optical thickness of .lambda./4 at a center which essentially continuously decreases away from the center to a minimum optical thickness of Z at a perimeter P. A second dielectric layer is formed on the first dielectric layer having an index of refraction n.sub.

Abstract: A rearview mirror suitable for vehicles, especially motor vehicles, is composed of a transparent substrate, preferably of soda silica glass and a rear reflection coating comprising a metal mirror layer, preferably chromium, and a dielectric triple interference layer system placed between the metal mirror layer and the transparent substrate. The triple interference layer system comprises, in contact with the metal layer, a dielectric layer having a high refractive index, e.g., titanium dioxide, a next layer having a low refractive index, e.g., silicon dioxide, and next a dielectric layer having a medium refractive index, e.g., a mixed TiO.sub.2 and SiO.sub.2 layer. With the selection of suitable layer thicknesses, a total reflection of at least 40% and a blue reflection tint, independent of the viewing angle, are attained.

Abstract: High reflectance mirror 40 for multiple wavelengths has substrate 42 which carries first reflector stack 46 for reflection of the principal, longer wavelength and a stack 66 which reflects shorter wavelength in an alignment beam. Semiconductor layer 64 separates passes the longer wavelength but reflects and/or absorbs the alignment beam of shorter wavelength. Layer 64 thus effectively optically decouples stacks 46 and 66. Each of the layers in the longer wave first reflecting stack 46 is of an optical thickness equal to an odd number of quarter wavelengths of the principal beam. The semiconductor layer 64 and the shorter wavelength reflecting an optical thickness equal to an even number of quarter wavelengths of the principal beam.

Abstract: Reflective, metalized plastic films for use in lighting fixture reflectors have improved performance when the plastic film upon which the metalization layer is deposited contains ultraviolet absorber.

Abstract: A deformable mirror device comprises a plurality of groups of colored mirrors responsive to electronic signals. Each group of mirrors is coated with a mixture of resist and dye thereby reflecting specified wavelengths of visible light. A process for manufacturing such a color deformable mirror device ("DMD") includes forming a layer of material on the DMD comprising a resist and a dye and selectively removing portions of the layer of material from the DMD.

Abstract: A terminator system particularly suited for beams of high intensity electromagnetic radiation such as from a laser includes an enclosure having a hole therein and a black mirror mounted in the enclosure. The black mirror has a specularly reflecting surface opposite the hole and is oriented at an angle such that the beam impinging on the hole would be impinging on the specularly reflecting surface and would not be reflected directly back out the hole. The black mirror is constructed of a material that absorbs energy at the wavelength of the incident beam. In another preferred embodiment, there are a plurality of black mirrors for performing a succession of reflections, so that the beam power is reduced significantly at each reflection.

Abstract: A surface reflector according to a first aspect has an oxide undercoat formed on a substrate, a reflecting aluminum layer formed over the oxide undercoat, and a protective layer formed over the reflecting layer. A surface reflector according to a second aspect has a chromium sulfide undercoat formed on a substrate, a reflecting silver layer formed over the chromium sulfide undercoat, and a protective layer formed over the reflecting layer. A surface reflector according to a third aspect has an oxide undercoat formed on a substrate, a sulfide undercoat formed over the oxide undercoat, a reflecting silver layer formed over the sulfide undercoat, and a protective layer formed over the reflecting layer.

Abstract: A protection system for a video display terminal (VDT) is designed for two basic purposes, first, the blockage and absorption of EMF, ultraviolet and X-rays from the VDT, and second, the elimination of glare from ambient light directly impacting the eye and reflected from the screen VDT. The invention comprises a dark, dull enclosure which adjustably connects to the front of the VDT and has a first, lower reflector having a metal-based reflective surface absorb some harmful rays and reflects the visual image and some of the harmful rays from the VDT to a second, upper reflector having an organic-based reflective surface which reflects the visual light spectrum image forward, so that it can be viewed by persons sitting in front of the VDT while allowing the harmful higher-frequency radiation to harmlessly pass through the plastic material.

Abstract: A thin film, light absorbing coating comprises an analog structure fabricated by the simultaneous codeposition of absorbing and non-absorbing material. The two materials may comprise a non-absorbing dielectric material, such as silicon monoxide, and a metal, such as chromium, that is absorbing over the desired wavelength range. Individual evaporation rates for the two materials are adjusted during the codeposition process to achieve a continuously graded quintic transition between the absorbing material and the non-absorbing material. The continuous grading of the composition allows good light absorption properties to be maintained over a wide range of wavelengths. The total design thickness of the absorbing coating is on the order of a full wavelength of light. All wavelengths of incident light shorter than the design wavelength are absorbed into the coating. The coating is useful as a broad band light absorbing layer between a substrate and a spectrally selective reflective surface layer.

Abstract: A light mirror and a lamp including a light mirror are disclosed. The light mirror includes a light pervious substrate having a reflecting surface, a metal coating disposed in the reflecting surface, and a dichroic coating disposed on the metal coating. The dichroic coating is designed to reflect essentially all of the visible light spectrum and to transmit infra-red radiation and any unreflected portion of the visible light spectrum. A method for controlling the heat transmission of a cold light mirror is also disclosed.

Abstract: A device which controls the reflected spectrum of a light source comprised of: a support article made of a plastic which is stable to the temperatures required of such a device; an optical coating deposited upon said support article, said coating consisting essentially of: a highly reflective metal film directly deposited upon said plastic support article and is at least 50 nm in thickness; an array of thin films of alternating high index and low index dielectric materials deposited upon said thin highly reflective metal film, said array being chosen to control the reflected spectrum of said device.

Abstract: A semiconductor device comprises a plurality of groups of colored mirrors controllable by electronic circuitry. Each group of colored mirrors absorb or reflect specified wavelengths of visible light. The electronic signals control the pathways on which each individual mirror reflect incident light. A first process for manufacturing such a color deformable mirror device ("DMD") includes aligning a dye-bearing substrate over the deformable mirror device and causing specified portions of the dye to sublimate off of the substrate and condense onto particular mirror elements of the deformable mirror device. A second process for producing a colored deformable mirror device places an electro static charge in a dye cloud and introduces the charged cloud to the DMD. The dye migrates to those selected mirrors containing an opposite electrical charge.

Abstract: A mirror comprises a first layer being of a transparency, a second layer mounted on the first layer and being in the form of a translucent metal thin film with a thickness of less than 350.ANG., a third layer mounted on the second layer and being in the form of a transparent oxide or fluoride of a metal and a fourth layer mounted on the third layer and being in the form of a thin metal to be used as a reflecting member.

Abstract: An improved lighting fixture includes a light reflecting and/or light transmitting member for reflecting or transmitting visible light. A light transmitting film is disposed adjacent the light reflecting or transmitting member. The light transmitting film is formed of a glutarimide acrylic copolymer. The glutarimide acrylic copolymer film provides protection to the light reflecting and/or transmitting member from damaging effects of ultraviolet radiation and is substantially resistant to ultraviolet radiation.

Abstract: An X-ray mirror having its layer structure in the sequence of: a substrate having the surface roughness (R.sub.max) of 1,000 .ANG. or below; an intermediate layer of high molecular weight material formed on this substrate and having a surface roughness (R.sub.max) of 100 .ANG. or below; and a thin film formed on this intermediate layer, the X-ray mirror being produced by the process steps of: providing a substrate having a surface roughness (R.sub.max) of 1,000 .ANG. or below; forming on this substrate an intermediate layer of a high molecular weight material by spin-coating with a surface roughness (R.sub.max) of 100 .ANG. or below; and finally forming a thin film on this intermediate layer.

Abstract: A method for forming a silicon dioxide film according to the present invention comprises steps of: (i) contacting a substrate with processing solution containing silicofluoric acid solution supersaturated with silicon dioxide, and (ii) forming the silicon dioxide film on the substrate; wherein organic colorant(s) is/are introduced into the silicon dioxide film by adding organic colorant(s) to the processing solution. According to the present invention, a silicon dioxide film containing organic colorant without defect such as air bubbles, or undecomposed raw material.

Abstract: An electro-optic rearview mirror assembly is disclosed which is protected against scattering fragments while reducing risk of laceration if broken/damaged, against ultraviolet (UV) radiation degradation, and against fogging or misting in high humidity conditions. The mirror may include a first element incorporating specialized yellow/orange/red visible light absorbing, UV radiation reducing glass having a blue or green color to provide a consumer acceptable silvery reflection even when yellow tinted UV radiation absorbing additives are mixed in the electro-optic medium of the assembly. The first element may be laminated from a pair of optically transparent, tinted, tempered safety, or other glass panels and incorporate UV radiation reducing paint/lacquer coatings or polymeric films. The panels may be secured together with UV radiation reducing Saflex.TM.

Abstract: A mirror comprises a transparent glass sheet having a reflective metal coating deposited on the glass and a protective coating applied to the reflective coating. The protective coating comprises a paint having a residual internal stress S.sub.R equal to or less than 1 MPa, measured by the Cantilever method (as defined) at a temperature above its glass transition temperature. One suitable paint used in coating the mirror has the following composition:50% pigments:10% titanium dioxide45% barium sulphate25% talc15% lead pigment5% coloring pigment and carbon black15% binder100% epoxy resin ester with 45% castor oil35% solvents5% butanol and isobutanol95% xylene.The glass transition temperature of the paint is approximately 10.degree. C., the residual internal stress at 20.degree. C. is approximately 0.05 MPa and the Persoz hardness is approximately 120.

Abstract: A method of protecting silver reflectors from damage caused by contact with gaseous substances which are often present in the atmosphere and a silver reflector which is so protected. The inventive method comprises at least partially coating a reflector with a metal oxide such as aluminum oxide to a thickness of 15 .ANG. or less.