PROTECTIVE LAYER FOR OPTICAL COATINGS WITH ENHANCED CORROSION AND SCRATCH RESISTANCE

摘要

An oxidizable metal silicide or metal aluminide is used as one of the outer layers of an optical coating to provide a corrosion and scratch resistant barrier. This layer is initially deposited in an unoxidized or partially oxidized state. In this chemical state it provides corrosion protection to t he layers underneath. The metal compound or intermetallic layer has hardness properties greater than most metals and therefore provides significant scrat ch protection.