Abstract: The subject of the invention is a glass-, ceramic- or vitroceramic-based substrate (1) provided on at least part of at least one of its faces with a coating (3) with a photocatalytic property containing at least partially crystalline titanium oxide. It also relates to the applications of such a substrate and to its method of preparation.

Abstract: A method of coating optical substrates with anti-reflection (AR) coatings is described. The thickness and composition of the coating is determined by minimizing the product of the Fresnel reflection coefficients for a coating with the angular- and wavelength-dependent sensitivity of the human visual system to minimize the perceived reflectance for the coated article. A compact chamber is evacuated and flushed with chemically inert gas such as argon or nitrogen. One or more molecular precursors are deposited using plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) to form AR films. Single-layer AR coatings based on fluoropolymer films of controlled thickness, as well as organic, organosilicon, and/or inorganic multilayers are described. Also provided is a method for monitoring film growth optically, using a polarized, light-emitting diode, a polarizing optical filter, and a photodiode.

Abstract: A method for forming coatings of constant thickness on sheets of dielectric substrate (10), which may be curved, includes the step of adhesively applying foil (12) to one side of the dielectric substrate. An electrode (16) is set at a constant distance (D) from the side (10fs) of the substrate to be coated. If the substrate is curved, the electrode is preferably also curved. The region to be coated is evacuated, gaseous precursor materials are infused into the gap, and voltage is applied between the foil (12) and the electrode (16) sufficient to ionize the precursors to a plasma state, whereupon the deposition occurs. The foil may be applied as an adhesive-backed foil. The adhesive may be electrically conductive.

Abstract: An improved process for preparing nitrogen containing substrates selected from the group consisting of silicon oxynitride, silicon nitride and titanium nitride films and silicon dioxide cap films characterized by prevent resist contamination when used as dielectric anti-reflective coatings, using a high density plasma CVD system, comprising: providing a processing chamber holding a wafer in a vacuum sufficient to enable O.sub.2 to be used as an oxygen source without risk of explosion in a plasma generating region of the processing chamber; introducing a gaseous mixture selected from the group consisting of SiH.sub.4 /O.sub.2 /N.sub.2 or SiH.sub.4 /O.sub.2 /N.sub.2 /Ar into the processing chamber; and subjecting the processing chamber to a RF electrical signal of sufficient frequency to create a high density plasma in the plasma generating region of said processing chamber, whereby said wafer is processed by resulting high density plasma generated by said RF electrical signal.

Abstract: An ophthalmic lens consisting of a substrate made of organic glass, of an abrasion-resistant coating, of a layer of impact-resistant primer and of an inorganic antireflective coating, wherein the surface of the said substrate is covered with the abrasion-resistant coating and in that the impact-resistant primer layer is inserted between the said abrasion-resistant layer and the anti-reflective coating, wherein the abrasion-resistant coating comprises a hydrolyzate or a mixture of hydrolyzates of a silane compound of formula: ##STR1## in which: R.sup.1 denotes an organic group containing an epoxy group;R.sup.2 is a hydrocarbon radical which has 1 or 2 carbon atoms; andR.sup.3 is a hydrocarbon group which has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and a is 0 or 1 in value.

Abstract: In a chemical vapor deposition process a surface layer is formed on an antireflective layer to prevent amines in the antireflective layer from neutralizing acid components formed during the exposure of an overlying photoresist layer. The surface layer is formed by introducing an oxygen-containing gas such as N.sub.2 O into the CVD chamber in the presence of radio frequency power, after the antireflective layer has been formed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of improving the durability of water-repellent films deposited on the surface of a substrate and to a coated article having a water-repellent film of improved durability deposited on the substrate surface. The method includes the steps of simultaneously abrasively and chemically preparing the surface to expose an increased number of bonding sites on the substrate surface by applying a dispersion including an acid solution and an abrasive material to the surface. The dispersion is then removed and the water-repellent film is formed over the prepared surface. The bonding sites react with the water-repellent film to more effectively bond the film to the substrate and thereby improve the durability of the water-repellent film.

Abstract: A PCVD process for producing coating layers of uniform thickness of domed substrates. The substrate surface to be coated is arranged in relation to the gas passage surface of a gas showerhead. In order to determine the appropriate processing parameters, in a first series of tests for one type of substrate to be coated, the size of the gas passage surfaces and the gas mass flows through the gas passage surfaces are kept constant, while the intervals between plasma impulses are gradually modified, from an initial value t.sub.A until an optimum value t.sub.eff is determined, and until the uniformity of the thickness profile of the layers generated on the substrate may no longer be improved. If required, during a second series of tests, the value t.sub.eff may be kept constant, while the thickness profile of the layers is further modified by further optimizing the local parameters and/or the gas mass flows until layer uniformity may no longer be improved.

Abstract: This invention provides a water repellant glass plate for vehicles or buildings, which shows a long-term durability. The water repellant glass plate includes a primer layer on a glass substrate, consisting essentially of silicon oxide in which oxygen atoms are partially substituted by hydroxyl groups, at a thickness between 10 nm and 100 nm, and a second layer on the first layer consisting of an organic silicon compound including a fluoroalkyl group at a thickness between about 0.2 nm and about 40 nm.

Abstract: A composition for coating can be made by mixing a fluoroalkoxysilane containing an alkoxy moiety directly bonded to a silicon atom, an aqueous solvent system, and a catalyst. The composition can be used to form a hydrophobic and oleophobic layer on a substrate.

Abstract: An optical anti-reflection coating having multiple layers, where at least some of the layers are formed by a dry coating process and other layers are formed by a wet coating process. This combination of different types of anti-reflection layers provides superior performance in terms of low reflectance over a wide bandwidth of incident light wavelengths, and also low reflectance over a wide range of incident light angles. This is accomplished using fewer layers than would be needed using all dry process layers in the ARC. Alternatively, one may obtain an ARC having performance equivalent to that of an all dry process layer ARC but using fewer layers by using the combination of a wet process and a dry process. Furthermore, this combination of wet process and dry process layers provides a high performance anti-reflection coating which cannot be fabricated using only a dry process.

Abstract: The invention relates to a low-pass optical filtering device for the UV band, comprising:a dielectric stacking (14) ensuring an anti-reflective function for .lambda.<.lambda..sub.c, where .lambda..sub.c is a so-called cutoff wavelength, of less than 300 nm, a metal base (12) ensuring a reflective function for .lambda.>.lambda..sub.c.

Abstract: The subject of the invention is a process for depositing, especially continuously, on a glass ribbon (10) of a float line, a reflective layer (3) based on a metal whose melting point is less than or equal to the temperature at which the glass ribbon acquires dimensional stability. The deposition is carried out in a controlled atmosphere, this being inert or reducing, when the glass ribbon (10) has already acquired its dimensional stability, by bringing the surface of the said ribbon into contact with the metal (22) in pulverulent form or in molten form, the temperature of the ribbon during contacting being chosen so that the powder melts and coalesces, or so that the molten metal forms a sheet, at the surface of the ribbon, leaving a solid continuous layer when the temperature of the ribbon is at a temperature of less than or equal to the melting point of the metal.

Abstract: A method of producing mirrors comprising depositing onto a ribbon of hot glass during the production process a coating comprising at least one pyrolytic reflecting layer and at least two reflection enhancing layers, the last applied or outer of the enhancing layers also serving as a protective layer for the coating. The mirrors have a visible light reflection of at least 35% and less than 70% and exhibit a bright silver or chrome appearance. There is also a provided a mirror having such a coating.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a gradient index optical filter comprising a thin film having a low refractive index contrast and a specific reflectance function structured using the phase of the refractive index profile as a variable to permit closed form, constrained optimization of rugate filters.

Abstract: A antiglare layer 12 having a fine uneven surface is formed directly or through other layer(s) on a transparent substrate film 11, and a layer 13 having a low refractive index, which is lower than the refractive index of the antiglare layer 12, is formed thereon. The refractive index of the antiglare layer 12 is higher than the refractive index of a layer in contact with said antiglare layer 12 on its surface remote from the layer 13 having a low refractive index. An SiO.sub.x film may be used as the layer 13 having a low refractive index. The SiO.sub.x film per se has excellent gas barrier property and antifouling property as an optical functional membrane and is an optical functional material characterized by having excellent moistureproofness, scratch resistance, adhesion to a substrate, transparency, low refractive index, dye deterioration preventive property, and other properties.

Abstract: A method of producing a thin coating by plasma-assisted chemical vapor phase deposition from a carbonaceous and metalliferous gas phase of a predetermined composition on a substrate surface especially in the form of a diamond-like carbon-silicon-hydrogen compound, wherein for the coloration the optical thickness of the coating or of one layer region or of a plurality of layer regions of the coating each, is predetermined in one single vacuum coating process in that due to interferences of the first order and/or of a higher order the desired color impression results at the coating or at its layer region(s) according to the principle of interference at thin films, and in the portion of the coating adjacent to the substrate surface first of all a non-colorating layer region, providing hardness and wear resistance of the complete coating, is produced with a larger thickness in relation to the colorating region or regions, wherein preferably shortly before achieving the total thickness of the coating the compositi

Abstract: The invention relates to a glass substrate having on at least one of its faces an antireflection coating formed by a stack of thin dielectric material layers having alternately high and low refractive indices. To prevent the modification of the optical properties of the coating in the case where the substrate is subject to a heat treatment such as tempering, bending or annealing, the layer or layers of the stack which are liable to deteriorate on contact with alkali ions such as sodium ions are separated form the substrate by at least one layer forming part of the antireflection coating and forming a "shield" with respect to the diffusion of alkali.

Abstract: A process suitable for forming multi-layer (up to at least several hundred layers) monotonic/linear variable/wedge filter coatings on a single substrate surface and for forming monolithic filter assemblies which incorporate such filters, is disclosed along with the designs for such filters. The monolithic process uses radially variable filter fabrication techniques in combination with ion-assisted deposition to form stress controlled, radially variable filter coatings of the desired varied optical profile, preferably using high and low index materials stich as tantala and silica. Stress is minimized by balancing the amount of ion assist and the coating rate. Slices are cut radially from the substrate to form quasi-linear variable filters. Other coatings such as, but not limited to, a wide band hot mirror can be formed on the opposite surface of the substrate from the radially variable LVF method.

Abstract: A method for producing a plastic material containing a diffractive optic pattern therein including embossing a curable plastic material with a diffractive optic pattern by pressing the curable plastic material against a master having a diffractive optic pattern thereon which is coated with a thin layer of a fluorinated silane, having at least one fluorinated alkyl group bonded to an Si atom and at least one alkoxy or halide group bonded to an Si atom, as a release layer. Also, the master coated with the fluorinated silane and cured plastic, particularly epoxy resins, containing diffractive gratings prepared by the method, preferably on a substrate, such as a waveguide.

Abstract: The green reflection color of back surface mirrors produced by deposition of a reflecting layer over two reflection enhancing layers on a glass substrate is controlled by selection of the layer materials and thicknesses to provide a reflection color having an a* value greater than -6, with a light reflection of at least 65%, preferably at least 70%. The inner reflection enhancing layer and reflecting layer are preferably of silicon, with the inner reflection enhancing layer having an optical thickness less than 125 nm; the intermediate reflection enhancing layer, which may be of silicon oxide, preferably has an optical thickness greater than 125 nm. The mirror may be produced by depositing the successive layers on a hot ribbon of glass during the glass production process.

Abstract: The invention relates to a material for and method of preparing water-repellent coatings on optical substrates. Compounds of formula IC.sub.n F.sub.2n+1 --(CH.sub.2).sub.m --Si(R.sup.1 R.sup.2 R.sup.3)(I)in whichR.sup.1 is alkoxy having 1 to 3 carbon atoms or isC.sub.n F.sub.2n+1 --(CH.sub.2).sub.m --Si(R.sup.2 R.sup.3)--O--,R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are alkyl or alkoxy having 1 to 3 carbon atoms,n is 1 to 12; andm is 1 to 6,are applied to the substrates by thermal vapor coating in a high vacuum.

Abstract: A method for making a tantala/silica interference filter on a vitreous substrate, which filter retains integrity at temperatures in excess of 600.degree. C., includes the steps of depositing by low pressure chemical vapor deposition a first coating of tantala/silica on the substrate, heat treating the first coating, and depositing by low pressure chemical vapor deposition a second coating of tantala/silica, the first and second coatings in combination providing a tantala/silica interference filter with a thickness of at least 3.5 microns on the vitreous substrate. There is further presented an electric lamp having an envelope and an interference filter applied thereto, in accordance with the above method.

Abstract: A method of pyrolytically forming a silica-containing coating on a glass substrate at an elevated temperature. Silane, oxygen, a radical scavenger gas and a carrier gas are combined as a precursor mixture, and the precursor is directed toward and along the surface of the heated glass substrate. The presence of the radical scavenger allows the silane, which is pyrophoric, to be premixed with the oxygen without undergoing ignition and premature reaction at the operating temperatures. The radical scavenger further provides control of and permits optimization of the kinetics of the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) reaction on the glass. A preferred combination of precursor materials includes monosilane and oxygen, with ethylene as the radical scavenger, and including nitrogen as a carrier gas.

Abstract: This invention is a product comprising a transparent substrate of the glass substrate type (1), coated with at least one thin film (4) based upon an oxide comprising silicon, aluminum and at least one third element M facilitating the formation of a homogeneous mixed oxide structure of silicon and aluminum. The invention also concerns a method of manufacturing coated glass, especially by a gas phase pyrolysis technique, and its applications.

Abstract: A high molecular weight, i.e., molecular weight of 90,000-750,000, conductive polymer soluble in both water and alcohol is mixed with a solution of water, alcohol, tetraethoxysilane (TES), and nitric acid (HNO.sub.3) to provide an antistatic coating for a glass display panel of a cathode ray tube (CRT) for grounding static charge on the panel. Conductive polymers such as of polyaniline mixed with either polystyrene sulfonic acid or polyacrylic acid in a molecular ratio of 1:1 or 3,4 polyethylenedioxythiophene added to polystyrenesulphonate in a molecular ratio of 1:1 form a conductive complex which when mixed with a solution of water, alcohol, TES and HNO.sub.3 provides a coating solution with a resistivity in the range of 10.sup.7-10.sup.9 ohm/cm.sup.2 on the outer surface of the CRT display panel.

Abstract: A method of producing a cathode-ray tube (CRT) of anti-static-processed type and further a cathode-ray tube which screens a leakage electric field (VLF band width). The method including the steps of forming a high-refractive transparent conductive layer, a low-refractive smooth transparent layer, and a low-refractive rough transparent layer on a faceplate of the CRT. This triple coat layer serving to reduce the weight of the CRT, minimize the deterioration of the resolution and contrast of images displayed, diminish the reflection of external light, and provide sufficient film strength for practical use.

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: This invention is directed to a glass substrate having deposited thereon an electroconductive coating useful for defrosting the glass. The coating comprises three layers. The first layer deposited on the glass is selected from the group consisting essentially of: (a) silicon oxide and (b) silicon nitride and it is deposited on at least a portion of a surface of the glass substrate. The second layer comprises an electrically conductive material selected from the group consisting essentially of (a) aluminum doped zinc oxide and (b) gallium doped zinc oxide. It is deposited on at least a portion of the first layer in a thickness of at least 1 micron. This second layer has a sheet resistance of less than 20 ohms per square. A third layer comprising a protective material is deposited on and is at least coextensive with the second layer. It is deposited in a thickness of at least 10 microns and is selected from the group of materials consisting essentially of: (a) fluorine doped tin oxide, and (b) silicon nitride.

Abstract: A method of producing mirrors comprising depositing onto a ribbon of hot glass during the production process a coating comprising at least one pyrolytic reflecting layer and at least two reflection enhancing layers, the last applied or outer of the enhancing layers also serving as a protective layer for the coating. The mirrors have a visible light reflection of at least 35% and less than 70% and exhibit a bright silver or chrome appearance. There is also a provided a mirror having such a coating.

Abstract: Surface haze resulting from a rough surface of a substrate e.g. a fluorine doped tin oxide coated glass piece is reduced by coating the rough surface with a smooth surface coating of sufficient thickness to smooth out the rough surface e.g. coating the tin oxide layer with a silica film having a thickness of about 100 to 2000 Angstroms.

Abstract: A transparent substrate having a glare reducing diffuser surface coating on its outer surface forms a faceplate for attachment to a screen for a cathode ray tube or other display device. The coating has a preferred thickness of less than about 3 microns, and the substrate may include an index matching adhesive/medium for attaching said faceplate to a cathode ray tube screen. The diffuser surface coated substrate is bendable and overcoatable with functional coating such as transparent conductor and/or abrasion resistant coatings.

Abstract: A method for producing a coated glass or ceramic article having a surface formed primarily from silicates, comprising the steps of contacting the uncoated glass or ceramic article in a gaseous atmosphere at a pressure of at least 700 Tort with a silane and a carbon source for a sufficient time at a temperature of less than 35.degree. C. to form a coating on and in the glass surface, wherein the coating comprises a silicon-carbide-containing layer having a thickness of at least 100 angstroms and containing 35 to 55 atom % carbon, between 15 and 30% silicon, no more than 10% elements other than silicon, oxygen, and carbon, and the remainder oxygen. Glass and ceramic surfaces having the indicated compositions are also part of the invention.

Abstract: A vaporizer (film evaporator) (13) for halide-free, silicon-containing liquid reactants used in producing preforms is provided. The vaporizer includes a plurality of packed-bed columns (22) surrounding a central tube (24). A mixture of liquid reactant, e.g., octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane, and gas, e.g., oxygen, is sprayed onto the top surfaces (54) of the columns (22) by a set of spray nozzles (32). The liquid reactant and the gas flow downward together through the columns and are heated by hot oil (28) which flows around the columns' walls (50). The liquid reactant evaporates into the gas until the dew point temperature is reached, at which point all of the liquid reactant will have been converted into vapor. The vapor/gas mixture exits the bottom surfaces 56 of columns (22), where its direction of flow changes from downward to upward. This change in flow direction separates higher molecular weight species (46) from the vapor/gas mixture.

Abstract: A method of producing heatable mirrors comprising depositing onto a ribbon of hot glass during the production process a reflecting coating whereby the mirrors so formed have a visible light reflection of at least 70% and depositing an electroconductive heating layer onto the mirrors. There is also provided a heatable mirror comprising a glass substrate carrying a non-metallic reflecting coating whereby the mirror has a visible light reflection of at least 70% and an electroconductive heating layer deposited on the coated substrate.

Abstract: Fluorine doped tin oxide coatings on glass are prepared by providing a uniform, vaporized reactant mixture containing an organotin compound, HF, water and oxygen, and delivering the reactant mixture to the surface of the hot ribbon of glass, where the compounds react to form the fluorine doped tin oxide coating. The fluorine doped tin oxide coatings applied in accordance with the invention exhibit lower sheet resistance, and improved uniformity in sheet resistance over the coated surface of the glass.

Abstract: The present invention is a liquid crystal display device comprising a color filter which comprises: a) a transparent substrate; b) an opaque material disposed as a pattern on a major surface of the substrate, which pattern defines borders within which a coloring agent or agents can be received; c) a silicate layer superposing the opaque material, the silicate layer having reactive sites; d) a sufficient concentration of organosiloxane groups bonded to the reactive sites of the silicate layer to render the opaque material dispersion inhibiting; and e) at least one coloring agent disposed within the borders defined by the opaque material.

Abstract: A method for making a tantala/silica interference filter on the surface of a tungsten-halogen incandescent lamp having molybdenum leads includes depositing on the lamp surface by low pressure chemical vapor deposition the interference filter comprising alternating layers of tantala and silica. Thereafter, the filter is heat treated in an atmosphere of humidified inert gas containing less than 1% oxygen.

Abstract: A method for making a tantala/silica interference filter on a vitreous substrate, the filter retaining integrity at temperatures in excess of 600.degree. C., includes the steps of applying to the vitreous substrate a first coating of vitreous silica doped with submicron-sized particles, depositing on the first coating by low pressure chemical vapor deposition the filter which comprises a second coating comprising alternating layers of tantala and silica, and heat treating the substrate and first and second coatings to bond the filter to the substrate. There is further provided an electric lamp having an envelope made in accordance with the above method.

Abstract: The coated substrate product finds particular application in eyeglass and sunglass lenses, architectural glass, analytical instrument windows, automotive windshields and laser bar code scanners for use in retail stores and supermarkets. The product has greatly improved wear resistance for severe abrasive environments and comprises a substantially optically transparent substrate, a chemically vapor deposited first interlayer bonded to the substrate and a chemically vapor deposited outer layer of substantially optically transparent diamond-like carbon bonded to the interlayer and away from the substrate.

Abstract: Method for optimizing an optical assay device for an analyte, including the steps of: providing a substrate having a chosen thickness of an optically active layer thereon; providing an attachment layer of a chosen thickness on the optical coating; providing a receptive layer of a chosen thickness for the analyte, wherein at least one of the thicknesses of the optically active layer, attachment layer and receptive layer is varied to provide a plurality of thicknesses of that layer; contacting analyte with the receptive layer under conditions in which an increase in mass on the receptive layer results; and determining the optical thickness of the layer.

Abstract: The coated substrate product finds particular application in eyeglass and sunglass lenses, architectural glass, analytical instrument windows, automotive windshields and laser bar code scanners for use in retail stores and supermarkets. The product has greatly improved wear resistance for severe abrasive environments and comprises a substantially optically transparent substrate, one or more chemically vapor deposited interlayers bonded to the substrate and a chemically vapor deposited outer layer of optically transparent or substantially optically transparent hard and low friction material bonded to the interlayer and away from the substrate.

Abstract: A vaporizer for halide-free, silicon-containing liquid reactants used in producing preforms is provided. The vaporizer includes a heated, vertically-oriented expansion chamber (20) and a vertical hollow shaft (42) which extends into the chamber and has a plurality of orifices (45) at its upper end (44). Preheated reactant is supplied to the vertical shaft (42) at an elevated pressure and is sprayed onto the chamber's heated wall (22) by the orifices (45). A portion of the liquid reactant vaporizes upon entering the internal volume (24) of the chamber (20) due to the pressure drop between the inside of the shaft and the inside of the chamber. The remainder of the liquid reactant vaporizes by being heated through contact with the chamber's wall (22). Higher molecular weight species present in the raw material or generated by the vaporization process are collected in the bottom portion of the chamber where they can be periodically removed.

Abstract: A planar optical waveguide comprises a substrate 1, a waveguide core layer 2, at least one planar optical element, wherein said planar optical element comprises at least one optically functional interface 3 which is adjacent to a cavity 4, and an overclad layer 5. The cavity enhances the optical characteristics of the planar optical element because of the substantial difference in the refractive index of the cavity as compared to the refractive index of said waveguide core layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process of providing a scratch-resistant coating for a lens made of an optical material comprising synthetics. In order for the synthetic material, for example a CR 39, to be protected against scratches, a very thin adhesion layer of SiO is applied first, and is subsequently provided with a thick SiO.sub.2 layer. Both layers are deposited in a vacuum chamber which comprises both a thermal vaporizer for vaporizing the coating materials and a plasma source for irradiating the substrate simultaneously with application of the vaporized coating material.

Abstract: Describes a composition for producing durable coatings and a process for preparing a single-layer broad band antireflective coating on solid substrates, such as glass, ceramics, metals, and organic polymeric materials. The coating composition comprises, in combination, acid catalyzed hydrolysis and condensation products of water-silane monomer mixture and a film forming amount of a polymer having functional groups selected from amino, hydroxy and carboxy, hydroxy and amino, amino and carboxy, and amino, hydroxy and carboxy. The described process comprises applying the aforesaid coating composition (or an acid catalyzed sol-gel coating composition) substantially free of preformed oxide sol and water soluble metal salt to the surface of a solid substrate, curing the applied coating, and treating the cured coating with an aqueous electrolyte solution for a time sufficient to produce a coating having graded porosity which is antireflective over a broad band of the visible spectrum.

Abstract: A method of producing mirrors comprising depositing onto a ribbon of hot glass during the production process a coating comprising at least one pyrolytic reflecting layer and at least one color modifying layer whereby the mirrors exhibit color in reflectance and have a visible light reflection of at least 35% and less than 70%. There is also provided a mirror having such a coating.

Abstract: A temperable coated article with metallic properties is prepared by coating a glass substrate with a metal-containing film such as titanium nitride, which ordinarily oxidizes at high temperature, overcoating with a protective layer of a silicon compound which forms a durable layer and prevents oxidation of the underlying metal-containing film and undercoating with a stabilizing metal-containing layer. The coated article can be tempered without losing its metallic properties to oxidation.

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

Abstract: An antireflective film, comprising a film composed of an inorganic chemical compound consisting of Mg, Si, O and F and a film composed of an inorganic chemical compound consisting of Zr, Si and O. The film shows antireflective property over a wide spectral range even with a limited number of layers. An optical element comprising a transparent body is provided with, a film formed thereon, composed of an inorganic chemical compound consisting of Zr, Si and O and a film formed as an outermost layer facing the air, composed of an inorganic chemical compound consisting of Mg, Si, O and F.