COATED ARTICLE INCLUDING BROADBAND AND OMNIDIRECTIONAL ANTI-REFLECTIVE TRANSPARENT COATING, AND/OR METHOD OF MAKING THE SAME

摘要

Certain example embodiments involve the production of a broadband and at least quasi-omnidirectional antireflective (AR) coating. The concept underlying certain example embodiments is based on well-established and applied mathematical tools, and involves the creation of nanostructures that facilitate these and/or other features. Finite element (FDTD) simulations are performed to validate the concept and develop design guidelines for the nanostructures, e.g., with a view towards improving visible transmission. Certain example embodiments provide such structures on or in glass, and other materials (e.g., semiconductor materials that are used to convert light or EM waves to electricity) alternatively or additionally may have such structures formed directly or indirectly thereon.

主权项

1. A method of making a coated article comprising an antireflective (AR) coating supported by a glass substrate, the method comprising:
dispensing a solution onto at least one major surface of the glass substrate; drying the solution at a first temperature; forming Benard cells and/or allowing Benard cells to form during the dispensing and/or drying, the Benard cells causing nanostructures to self-assemble on the at least one major surface of the glass substrate in accordance with a desired template, the desired template exhibiting waveguide modes that approximate: (a) a transverse magnetic (TMz) mode in whichɛeff=ɛ0+π23[f(1-f)(ɛ2-ɛ1)]2α2+O(α4),and/or
(b) a transverse electric (TEz) mode in whichɛeff=1a0+π23[f(1-f)(ɛ2-ɛ1)ɛ2ɛ1]2ɛ0a03α2+O(α4), where a0=f/∈2−(1−f)/∈1, ∈0=∈2f−∈1(1−f), and a=2R/λ0; and curing at least a part of the solution at a second temperature that is higher than the first temperature in forming the AR coating.