US4189205A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Coated copper reflector
Assignee: INFRARED IND Inc
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Filing: 1978-02-21
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Granted: 1980-02-19
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Expires: 1998-02-21
Abstract
Abstract A reflector or mirror for the visible and rear infrared spectrum is formed by multicoating copper with one-fifth wavelength and three-quarter wavelength films. These films are alternating low and high index films, and MgF 2 and TiO 2 are presently preferred. A thin bonding layer of TiO 2 is used to secure adhesion of the MgF 2 to the copper. This coating enhances the reflectance in the visible range without appreciable degradation of reflectance in the near infrared, so that the resultant curve of reflectance-versus-frequency is substantially flat. The resulting coating is hard and tough and may be cleaned without injury and withstands high humidity.
Inventors
- 👤 Peter T. Vandehei
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 17:11
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B5/00; G02B5/08; G02B5/0816; G02B5/085; G02B5/0858; C; C03; C03C; C03C17/00; C03C17/34; C03C17/36; C03C17/3602; C03C17/3615; C03C17/3621; C03C17/3649; C03C17/3657; C03C17/3663; G02B5/20; G02B5/28; G02B5/281; G02B5/282; G02B5/285; C03C2217/00; C03C2217/70; C03C2217/73; C03C2217/734
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
111 words
In a metallic copper reflector having an enhanced reflectance in the visible wavelength range without substantial degradation in the near infrared and resistant to humidity and abrasion, the improvement comprising: (a) first layer on said copper of hard transparent material having a thickness of twenty to one hundred Angstroms; (b) a second layer of low-index transparent material having an optical thickness of 0.2 of a visible wavelength; (c) a third layer of high-index transparent material having an optical thickness of one-fourth of said visible wavelength; (d) and at least one pair of layers of first low-index and then high-index transparent materials, each layer having a thickness of one-fourth of said wavelength.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
111 words
In a metallic copper reflector having an enhanced reflectance in the visible wavelength range without substantial degradation in the near infrared and resistant to humidity and abrasion, the improvement comprising: (a) first layer on said copper of hard transparent material having a thickness of twenty to one hundred Angstroms; (b) a second layer of low-index transparent material having an optical thickness of 0.2 of a visible wavelength; (c) a third layer of high-index transparent material having an optical thickness of one-fourth of said visible wavelength; (d) and at least one pair of layers of first low-index and then high-index transparent materials, each layer having a thickness of one-fourth of said wavelength.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
A reflector as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first layer is TiO 2 .
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
A reflector as set forth in claim 1 wherein the low-index material is MgF 2 and the high-index material is TiO 2 .
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
A reflector as set forth in claim 1 wherein the wavelength is in the range of four hundred seventy-five to five hundred twenty-five millimicrons.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
105 words
In a metallic copper reflector having an enhanced reflectance in the visible wavelength range, the improvement comprising: (a) a protective layer of hard transparent material on said copper; (b) a first layer of low-index material on said protective layer having an optical thickness of 0.2 of a selected visible wavelength; (c) a second layer of high-index transparent material on said low-index layer having an optical thickness of one-fourth of said wavelength; (d) and at least one pair of layers placed on said second layer of first low-index and then high-index transparent material, each layer having an optical thickness of one fourth of said visible wavelength.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
105 words
In a metallic copper reflector having an enhanced reflectance in the visible wavelength range, the improvement comprising: (a) a protective layer of hard transparent material on said copper; (b) a first layer of low-index material on said protective layer having an optical thickness of 0.2 of a selected visible wavelength; (c) a second layer of high-index transparent material on said low-index layer having an optical thickness of one-fourth of said wavelength; (d) and at least one pair of layers placed on said second layer of first low-index and then high-index transparent material, each layer having an optical thickness of one fourth of said visible wavelength.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
130 words
The method of improving the reflectance of copper in the visible spectrum without substantial degradation in the near infrared range, which comprises: (a) selecting a wavelength in the visible spectrum about which enhancement is desired; (b) depositing an opaque layer of copper upon a substrate over a time period not exceeding two minutes; (c) immediately thereafter coating the copper with a transparent layer of material of a thickness sufficient to protect the copper from oxidation; (d) coating the protected surface with a low-index transparent material to a thickness of 0.2 of the selected wavelength; (e) and coating said low-index material with alternate layers of first high-index and then low-index transparent material, each having a thickness of one-fourth of said selected wavelength until at least three of said coatings are added.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
130 words
The method of improving the reflectance of copper in the visible spectrum without substantial degradation in the near infrared range, which comprises: (a) selecting a wavelength in the visible spectrum about which enhancement is desired; (b) depositing an opaque layer of copper upon a substrate over a time period not exceeding two minutes; (c) immediately thereafter coating the copper with a transparent layer of material of a thickness sufficient to protect the copper from oxidation; (d) coating the protected surface with a low-index transparent material to a thickness of 0.2 of the selected wavelength; (e) and coating said low-index material with alternate layers of first high-index and then low-index transparent material, each having a thickness of one-fourth of said selected wavelength until at least three of said coatings are added.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-02-18 | 1983-08-20 | 1984-02-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-02-18 | 1987-08-20 | 1988-02-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-02-18 | 1991-08-20 | 1992-02-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |