Systems with infrared reflective coatings

Abstract

To solve the problem in which windows generally include transparent layers, such as glass layers, which pass an undesired amount of infrared light.SOLUTION: A transparent structure may have structural layers such as an inner layer and an outer layer, which may be formed from glass. The transparent structure may be curved. At least one of the inner layer and the outer layer may be coated with an infrared reflection coating. The infrared reflection coating may be formed from multiple optical resonators. Each of the resonators may include two half-mirrors separated by a dielectric layer. The half-mirrors may include infrared reflective material, such as silver. At least some of the resonators may additionally include a getter layer. The getter layer may be formed from amorphous material, nanoparticles in dielectric material, or other desired material, and may protect the infrared reflective material while the infrared reflection coating is being deposited.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 193,507, filed March 30, 2023, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 353,387, filed June 17, 2022, each of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0002] This relates generally to structures that allow light to pass through, and more specifically to transparent structures. [Background technology]

[0003] Windows generally include a transparent layer, such as a layer of glass, which, if care is not taken, can allow undesirable amounts of infrared light to pass through. Summary of the Invention

[0004] A system, such as a vehicle, a building, or an electronic device, can have a window. The window can separate an interior region from an exterior region, such as an interior region and an exterior region of a vehicle. The window may have structural window layers, such as an inner layer and an outer layer. The inner and outer glass layers may be separated by an air gap.

[0005] One or more infrared-reflective coatings may be applied to the inner and / or outer glass layers. The infrared-reflective coatings may include multiple optical cavities. Each optical cavity may include two half-mirrors that sandwich a lossless dielectric. The half-mirrors may include an infrared-reflective layer, such as a thin layer of silver.

[0006] At least some of the optical cavities may include a getter layer adjacent to and above each metal layer to protect the silver layer in the half mirror while other layers are deposited and to reduce color shift for high viewing angle light passing through the window. The getter layer may be formed from a lossy dielectric material such as an amorphous material, nanoparticles in a dielectric, or ink. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary apparatus, according to one embodiment.

[0008] [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view of an exemplary window having an infrared reflective coating, according to one embodiment.

[0009] [Diagram 3] 1 is a cross-sectional side view of an exemplary infrared reflective coating, according to one embodiment.

[0010] [Figure 4] 1 is a graph of exemplary transmission spectra of windows having different infrared reflective coatings, according to one embodiment.

[0011] [Diagram 5] 1 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary window portion having an infrared reflective coating with repeating layers, according to one embodiment.

[0012] [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view of a curved window having an infrared reflective coating, according to one embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] The system may have a window. The window may include a structure for blocking infrared light. Optionally, the window may also incorporate additional coatings, such as anti-reflective layers, or electro-optically tunable components. The system may be an electronic device, a building, a vehicle, or other suitable system. An exemplary configuration in which the system with the window is a vehicle may be described herein as an example. This is merely exemplary. The window structure may be formed into any suitable system.

[0014] The electrically adjustable components of a window can be used to adjust the optical properties of the window. For example, an electrically adjustable window can be adjusted to change the light absorption and therefore the light transmittance of the window. The adjustable light modulator layer may function as an electrically adjustable sunroof, for example, for a rooftop window, or may be used to implement electrically adjustable shades for a side window, a front window, or a rear window. In an exemplary configuration, the transparency of the window can be modulated using a liquid crystal light modulator, such as a guest-host liquid crystal light modulator. The adjustable optical component layer may also be used to display images, provide lighting, and / or otherwise adjust the appearance and behavior of the window.

[0015] The window of the system may include multiple glass layers. For example, the window may include an inner transparent structural layer (sometimes referred to as an inner glass layer) and an outer transparent structural layer (sometimes referred to as an outer glass layer). The inner and outer layers of the window may be separated by a gap. The gap may be filled with air or may be filled with a polymer, liquid, or other functional dielectric. An exemplary configuration in which the inner and outer glass layers are separated by air may be described herein as an example.

[0016] The glass layers of the window may be single layer glass layers (e.g., a single layer of heat strengthened or tempered glass) or in some configurations may be multi-layer structures formed, for example, from first and second glass layers laminated together. The laminated glass layers may have a polymer such as polyvinyl butyral (PVB) that bonds the first and second glass layers to form a sheet of laminated glass. Multi-layer glass structures (laminated glass layers formed from two or more laminated glass layers with intervening PVB) and single glass layers may include optional colorants (e.g., dyes, pigments, etc.). The polymer layers (e.g., PVB layers) in the laminated glass layers may also be optionally passively tinted.

[0017] As an alternative to glass, polymer layers may be used in forming the window. For example, the window may include one or more polymer layers, such as polycarbonate or acrylic layers. Laminated window structures can be formed from multiple polymer layers with interlayers, such as thermoplastic urethane (TPU) interlayers. Generally, any desired interlayer can be used.

[0018] In some cases, it may be desirable to reduce the amount of infrared light that passes through a window. For example, reducing the amount of infrared light that passes through a window can reduce the amount of heat that enters a system, such as an electronic device, a vehicle, or a building. To reduce the amount of infrared light that passes through a window, an infrared light reflective coating may be incorporated onto one or more layers, such as a glass layer or a polymer layer, within the window. Although examples may be described herein in which the infrared light reflective coating is bonded to a glass window layer, the infrared light reflective coating may be applied onto any desired layer.

[0019] The infrared light reflective coating may include one or more infrared reflective layers (such as a silver layer) that reduce the amount of infrared light passing through the window. Additional layers, such as base layers, seed layers, and barrier layers, may be incorporated into the window to deposit the infrared reflective layer and to prevent the infrared reflective layer from reacting with external compounds during the deposition process, resulting in an infrared reflective layer with a low refractive index (e.g., n<0.1 at 550 nm) and a low sheet resistance of 1.1 to 3.5 ohms per square meter. A getter layer may be incorporated between the infrared reflective layer and the next dielectric layer. The getter layer may further protect the infrared reflective layer during the deposition process and may reduce the color shift of the glass at high incidence angles.

[0020] An exemplary system of the type that may include a window having one or more infrared light reflective coatings is shown in FIG. 1. System 10 may be an electronic device, a vehicle, a building, or any other desired system. For example, system 10 may be an electronic device, such as a cell phone, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a tablet computer, a television, or any other desired electronic device. The electronic device may include a device housing, a display on a front side of the device housing, and electronic components within the device housing. In other examples, system 10 may be a vehicle having a body having a chassis with wheels attached thereto, a propulsion and steering system, and other vehicle systems. The vehicle body may include doors, a trunk structure, a hood, side body panels, a roof, and / or other body structures. Seats may be formed within the body. However, these examples are merely illustrative. In general, system 10 may be any desired system.

[0021] Regardless of the particular system, system 10 may include windows, such as window(s) 16. Window 16 may separate the interior of system 10 from the exterior environment surrounding system 10. For example, window 16 may include windows on the front and / or back of an electronic device, on the front, back, and sides of a vehicle, or on the side of a building, as examples.

[0022] The input / output devices 21 may include sensors, audio components, displays, and other components. For example, the input / output devices 21 may provide output to occupants of the vehicle, may take measurements of the environment surrounding the vehicle, and may collect input from occupants of the vehicle. If desired, some of the input / output devices may operate through the window(s) 16. In some embodiments, the input / output devices 21 may include communication devices, such as radios, that receive and / or transmit radio waves through the window(s) 16.

[0023] The control circuitry 23 may include storage and processing circuitry, such as volatile and non-volatile memory, microprocessors, application specific integrated circuits, digital signal processors, microcontrollers, and other circuitry for controlling the operation of a system such as a vehicle. In operation, the control circuitry 23 may control components of the vehicle based on inputs from the input / output devices 21.

[0024] An exemplary configuration of a window, such as one of the windows 16 of FIG. 1, is shown in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 2, the window 16 can separate an interior region 14 (e.g., an area inside the system 10, such as an area inside the vehicle) from an exterior region 18 (e.g., an area outside the system 10, such as an area outside the vehicle). The window 16 can include an inner layer 20 and an outer layer 22. The layers 20 and 22 can be glass layers, ceramic layers, sapphire layers, polymer layers (such as polycarbonate layers or acrylic layers), or any other desired layers, and can be transparent or partially transparent (e.g., tinted to reduce the transmission of some visible light). The layers 20 and 22 may also be referred to herein as substrates (e.g., when a coating is applied to the layers).

[0025] Layers 20 and 22 may be formed from single layer glass structures and / or multiple layer glass structures. These layers may be strengthened (e.g., by annealing, tempering, and / or chemical strengthening). In general, inner layer 20 may be a single layer glass structure (e.g., a single layer of tempered glass) or a laminated glass layer, and outer layer 22 may be a single layer glass structure (e.g., a single layer of tempered glass) or a laminated glass layer. In embodiments where layers 20 and / or layers 22 are laminated glass layers, they may include multiple glass layers laminated together using one or more polymer layers. In embodiments where layers 20 and / or layers 22 are laminated polymer layers, they may include multiple polymer layers laminated together using one or more additional polymer layers. The polymer layers may be layers of polyvinyl butyral, thermoplastic polyurethane, or other suitable polymers for attaching glass layers.

[0026] Layers 20 and 22 may be separated by a gap 25. Gap 25 may be an empty gap, or gap 25 may be filled with any desired material. For example, gap 25 may be filled with a polymer, liquid, or other dielectric. In some cases, gap 25 may be omitted if desired.

[0027] Light, such as light 27, may enter window 16. As shown in FIG. 2, light 27 may reach window 16 from exterior region 18 and enter exterior layer 22. Light 27 may include visible light, infrared, ultraviolet, and other wavelengths. To reduce the transmission of infrared light through window 16, interior layer 20 may be coated with an infrared reflective coating 24 that may reflect infrared light (e.g., the infrared wavelengths of light 27) from reaching interior region 14.

[0028] Although light 27 is shown to be in exterior region 18, light having undesirable infrared components may be in interior region 14 and may also be incident on interior layer 20 as well.

[0029] Although the infrared-reflective coating 24 is shown in FIG. 2 as being on the outer surface of the inner layer 20, this is by way of example only. As shown in FIG. 2, the infrared-reflective coating 24 may be at a location 24' on the inner surface of the outer layer 22 instead of or in addition to being on the inner layer 20. Alternatively or additionally, the infrared-reflective coating 24 may be formed on the outside of the window 16 (i.e., on the outer surface of the outer layer 22 or the inner surface of the inner layer 20), or on an additional layer formed between the inner layer 20 and the outer layer 22. In general, the infrared-reflective coating 24 may be formed anywhere within the window 16 to reduce the amount of infrared light passing through the window 16.

[0030] If the infrared-reflective coating 24 is formed on a polymer layer, such as a layer of polycarbonate, it may be desirable to include an additional coating layer between the infrared-reflective coating 24 and the polymer layer. For example, a coating layer may be applied (e.g., by chemical vapor deposition (CVD)) on the polymer layer before applying the infrared-reflective coating 24. The coating layer may reduce stress on the polymer when the infrared-reflective coating 24 is deposited and may be formed from any desired material. In some examples, the coating layer may be a hybrid coating layer, such as SiOCH or any SiOxCy:H material. For example, the hybrid coating layer may be formed from hexamethyldisiloxane (HMDSO). However, these materials are merely exemplary. In general, the hybrid layer may be formed from any desired material, such as ZrOC:H or TiOC:H. The coating may also have a refractive index the same as or slightly higher than the underlying polymer, and thus may be an anti-reflective layer. The refractive index of the coating may be graded, if desired.

[0031] Regardless of where one or more infrared-reflective coatings are formed, such as infrared-reflective coating 24, the infrared-reflective coating can include multiple layers that reflect infrared light. An exemplary stack of an infrared-reflective coating is shown in FIG.

[0032] As shown in Figure 3, an infrared reflective coating, such as infrared reflective coating 24, can include two optical resonators, namely, resonator 29 and resonator 31. Resonator 29 can include a half mirror 26, a dielectric layer 28, and a half mirror 30. Half mirror 26 can be formed on a layer within window 16, such as inner layer 20 or outer layer 22 of Figure 2. In some embodiments, half mirror 26 can be formed directly on a window layer. Half mirror 26 can include a metal layer, such as a silver layer, to reflect light incident on the half mirror.

[0033] A dielectric layer 28 can be formed on the half mirror 26. The dielectric layer 28 can include any desired dielectric material, such as a polymeric material or an oxide material. The dielectric layer 28 can separate the half mirror 26 from the half mirror 30. The half mirror 30 can include an infrared reflective layer, which can be a metal layer, such as a silver layer, to reflect light incident on the half mirror, and can have the same structure as the half mirror 26, if desired.

[0034] The resonator 29 may include a getter layer 32 on the half mirror 30. The getter layer 32 may include a lossy dielectric material. For example, the getter layer 32 may include an amorphous material such as amorphous Si, amorphous silicon-rich silicon nitride (SiNx, x<1.33), or amorphous germanium, may include ink, and / or may include metal nanoparticles. The nanoparticles may be metal nanoparticles such as silver or aluminum nanoparticles.

[0035] The getter layer 32 may have a thickness of 2 nm or less, 5 nm or less, 1 nm to 2 nm, or any other desired thickness. In general, the getter layer 32 can protect the infrared reflective layers (e.g., silver layers) in the half mirrors 30 and 26 when the resonator 31 is deposited over the resonator 29. The getter can preferentially react with oxide-based radicals to prevent further reactive species in the plasma from reaching the surface of the underlying silver film.

[0036] The resonator 31 can include a half mirror 34, a dielectric layer 36, and a half mirror 38, which may be similar or the same as the half mirror 26, the dielectric layer 28, and the half mirror 30, respectively, as desired.

[0037] In contrast to having two half mirrors and two resonators with an intervening dielectric layer (as may be the case for a typical window with an infrared reflective coating), the inclusion of a getter layer 32 in the resonator 29 can protect the half mirror while it is being deposited on the window 16 and can also reduce color shift of the light, especially light at high angles of incidence to the window 16, as it passes through the infrared reflective coating 24. An example of an exemplary transmission spectrum through the window 16 is shown in FIG.

[0038] 4, a window, such as window 16, can have a transmission spectrum 40 that corresponds to light entering window 16 at 0°. In other words, light entering window 16 on-axis (parallel to an axis perpendicular to the exterior surface of window 16) can be transmitted according to transmission spectrum 40.

[0039] In a typical window without a getter layer 32 (e.g., a window having a cavity with only a half mirror and an intervening dielectric layer, without a getter layer), there can be a high color shift for light entering the window at high angles of incidence. For example, transmission spectrum 42 corresponds to light entering a typical window without a getter layer at 60°. Light entering a typical window at high angles will be color shifted (e.g., more light of higher wavelengths enters the window) and will result in reflection at lower visible wavelengths (such as blue or green wavelengths).

[0040] In contrast, a window with a getter layer 32, such as the window 16 of FIG. 3, can exhibit less color shift for light entering the window 16 at high angles of incidence. For example, transmission spectrum 44 corresponds to light entering the window 16 (with getter layer 32) at 60°. As shown, light entering the window 16 at high angles has less color shift (i.e., transmission spectrum 44 is less shifted than transmission spectrum 42) than light entering a typical window. In other words, the window 16 with the infrared reflective coating 24 including the getter layer 32 has a more achromatic transmission at high angles of incidence than a typical window with an infrared reflective coating without a getter layer. In this way, the inclusion of the getter layer 32 in the resonator 29 can reduce color shift for light entering the window 16 at high angles and can protect the half mirror layers in the resonator as they are deposited on the window 16.

[0041] In general, a window having an infrared-reflective coating comprising multiple stacked cavities with intervening getter layers can be formed in any desired manner. One example of an infrared-reflective coating stack is shown in FIG.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 5, an infrared reflective coating, such as infrared reflective coating 24, can be formed on a substrate 46. Substrate 46 can be an inner or outer window layer, such as layer 20 or layer 22 of FIG. 2. Substrate 46 can be formed of glass, such as soda-lime glass, ceramic, sapphire, polymer, such as polycarbonate, acrylic, or other desired polymer, or any other desired material. Substrate 46 can be formed of a single layer glass structure and / or a multi-layer glass structure. Substrate 46 can be strengthened (e.g., by annealing, tempering, and / or chemical strengthening) as needed. In general, substrate 46 can be a single layer (such as a single layer glass structure (e.g., a single layer of tempered glass)) or can have multiple layers (such as laminated glass layers). In embodiments where substrate 46 is a laminated glass layer, substrate 46 can include multiple glass layers laminated together using one or more polymer layers. The polymer layer may be a layer of polyvinyl butyral or other suitable polymer for attaching the glass layer.

[0043] The barrier layer 48 may be formed on the substrate 48. The barrier layer 48 may be an amorphous layer or may be dense to protect the substrate 46 and the layers above the barrier layer 48 while they are being deposited. Generally, the barrier layer 48 may have a refractive index close to that of the substrate 46 to reduce reflection of light incident on the substrate 46. For example, the barrier layer 48 may have a refractive index between 1.2 and 1.7, between 1.2 and 1.5, between 1.5 and 1.7, between 1.7 and 2, or any other desired value. In this manner, the barrier layer 48 may form an anti-reflective coating on the substrate 46.

[0044] In some embodiments, the barrier layer 48 may be zinc oxide. For example, ZnSnOx, SnOx may be used to form the barrier layer 48. Alternatively, the barrier layer 48 may be TiO x , bismuth oxide, or any other desired material.

[0045] If the substrate 46 is formed from a polymer such as polycarbonate, it may be desirable to include an additional coating layer between the substrate 46 and the barrier layer 48. For example, a coating layer may be applied (e.g., by chemical vapor deposition (CVD)) onto the substrate 46 before applying the barrier layer 48. The coating layer may reduce stress on the polymer of the substrate 46 when the remainder of the stack is deposited, and may be formed from any desired material. In some examples, the coating layer may be a hybrid coating layer, such as SiOCH, any SiOxCy:H material (such as HMDSO), ZrOC:H, TiOC:H, or other desired hybrid material. The coating may also have a refractive index the same as or slightly higher than the underlying polymer, and thus may be an anti-reflective layer. The refractive index of the coating may be graded, if desired.

[0046] A seed layer 50 can be formed on the barrier layer 48. The seed layer 50 can be a doped zinc oxide layer, such as Al-doped ZnOx, or any other desired layer that promotes highly textured Ag growth. In some embodiments, the seed layer 50 can be a crystalline layer. However, any desired material can be used to form the seed layer 50. Generally, the seed layer 50 can facilitate the deposition of a high quality (real part (n)<0.1 at 550 nm, preferably real part (n) less than 0.07) infrared reflective layer 52.

[0047] An infrared reflective layer 52 can be formed on the seed layer 50. The infrared reflective layer 52 can be silver or another desired infrared reflective material. In some examples, the infrared reflective layer 52 can be a polycrystalline silver layer. The infrared reflective layer 52 can have any desired thickness, such as less than 30 nm, more than 8 nm, between 15-30 nm, or other desired thickness. In an exemplary embodiment, the infrared reflective layer 52 can have a thickness equal to the grain size of the polycrystalline silver forming the infrared reflective layer 52. For example, the grain size can be 15-30 nm and the thickness of the infrared reflective layer 52 can be 15-30 nm. In other words, the infrared reflective layer 52 can be a polycrystalline silver layer that is one grain thick.

[0048] If desired, the infrared reflective layer 52 may be patterned. For example, materials in the infrared reflective layer 52, such as silver, may impede the transmission of waves, such as radio waves. If it is desired that radio waves pass through the window 16 (e.g., if the system 10 is a vehicle, building, or electronic device), the infrared reflective layer 52 may be patterned to have openings. As a result, waves, such as radio waves, can pass through the openings unimpeded, while the remainder of the infrared reflective layer 52 blocks infrared light from passing through the window 16.

[0049] A getter layer 54 may be formed on the infrared reflective layer 52. The getter layer 54 may include a lossy dielectric material. For example, the getter layer 54 may include an amorphous material, such as amorphous silicon or amorphous germanium, may include an ink, and / or may include nanoparticles. The nanoparticles may be metal nanoparticles, such as silver nanoparticles. Alternatively or additionally, the getter layer 54 may include a Zn, Al, AlZn, or Al-rich AlN layer.

[0050] The getter layer 54 may have a thickness of 2 nm or less, 5 nm or less, 1 nm to 2 nm, or any other desired thickness. Regardless of the thickness and material of the getter layer 54, the getter layer can protect the infrared reflective layer 52 (e.g., a silver layer) from oxidation when other layers are deposited over the infrared reflective layer 52. For example, oxygen gas may be used during deposition of layers over the infrared reflective layer 52, which would otherwise oxidize the silver (or other materials) in the infrared reflective layer 52. In this manner, the getter layer 54 can help prevent oxygen gas from reaching the infrared reflective layer 52 and oxidizing the materials forming the infrared reflective layer 52.

[0051] A seed layer 50 may be formed on the getter layer 54 and may be formed from zinc oxide. If desired, the seed layer 50 may be the same material as the underlying seed layer 50, but this is not required. The seed layer 50 may be a doped zinc oxide layer, such as Al-doped ZnOx, or any other desired layer. In some embodiments, the seed layer 50 may be a crystalline layer. However, any desired material may be used to form the seed layer 50.

[0052] A barrier layer 48 may be formed over the seed layer 50. If desired, the barrier layer 48 may be the same material as the underlying barrier layer 48, but this is not required. Like the underlying barrier layer 48, the barrier layer 48 over the seed layer 50 may be an amorphous layer, or may be dense to protect underlying and overlying layers already deposited while they are being deposited. The barrier layer 48 may have a refractive index of 1.2-1.7, 1.2-1.5, 1.5-1.7, 1.7-2.1 (at 550 nm), or any other desired value.

[0053] In some embodiments, the barrier layer 48 may be zinc oxide. For example, ZnSnOx may be used to form the barrier layer 48. Alternatively, the barrier layer 48 may be TiO 2 , bismuth, or any other desired material.

[0054] Another seed layer 50 may be formed on the barrier layer 48 and may be formed of zinc oxide. If desired, the seed layer 50 may be the same material as the underlying seed layer 50, but this is not required. The seed layer 50 may be a doped zinc oxide layer, such as AlZnOx, or any other desired layer. In some embodiments, the seed layer 50 may be a crystalline layer. However, any desired material may be used to form the seed layer 50. Generally, the seed layer 50 may be formed of a material that facilitates deposition of the overlying infrared reflective layer 52.

[0055] An infrared reflective layer 52 may be formed on the seed layer 50. If desired, the infrared reflective layer 52 may be the same material as the underlying infrared reflective layer 52, but this is not required. The infrared reflective layer 52 may be silver or another desired infrared reflective material. In some examples, the infrared reflective layer 52 may be a polycrystalline silver layer. The infrared reflective layer 52 may have any desired thickness, such as less than 30 nm, greater than 10 nm, between 15-30 nm, or any other desired thickness. In one exemplary embodiment, the infrared reflective layer 52 may have a thickness equal to the grain size of the polycrystalline silver forming the infrared reflective layer 52. In other words, the infrared reflective layer 52 may be a polycrystalline silver layer that is one grain thick.

[0056] If desired, the infrared reflective layer 52 may be patterned. For example, materials in the infrared reflective layer 52, such as silver, may impede the transmission of waves, such as radio waves. If it is desired for radio waves to pass through the window 16 (e.g., if the system 10 is a vehicle, building, or electronic device), the infrared reflective layer 52 may be patterned to have openings. As a result, waves, such as radio waves, can pass through the openings unimpeded, while the remainder of the infrared reflective layer 52 blocks infrared light from passing through the window 16. In some embodiments, each infrared reflective layer 52 may have a matching pattern that allows waves to pass unimpeded through overlapping openings.

[0057] This stack of layers may be repeated any desired number of times to ensure sufficient infrared reflectance, for example, the infrared reflective coating may include at least three infrared reflective layers, at least four infrared reflective layers, or any other desired number of infrared reflective layers.

[0058] A protective layer 56 may be formed on top of the infrared reflective coating stack. The protective layer 56 may be formed of any desired material, such as a polymeric material, a dielectric material, or an oxide material. In some embodiments, the protective layer 56 may include a ZrSiOx, AlSiOx, or SiO2 layer.

[0059] An infrared reflective coating, such as infrared reflective coating 24, may be formed on any desired window, such as window 16. In some embodiments, the infrared reflective coating may be formed on a curved window. One example of this configuration is shown in FIG.

[0060] As shown in FIG. 6, the window 16 can include a curved layer 58. The curved layer 58 can be an inner or outer window layer, such as layer 20 or layer 22 of FIG. 2. The curved layer 58 can be formed of glass, ceramic, sapphire, or any other desired material. The curved layer 58 can be formed of a single layer glass structure and / or a multi-layer glass structure. The curved layer 58 can be strengthened (e.g., by annealing, tempering, and / or chemical strengthening) as needed. In general, the curved layer 58 can be a single layer glass structure (e.g., a single layer of strengthened glass) or a laminated glass layer. In embodiments where the curved layer 58 is a laminated glass layer, the curved layer 58 can include multiple glass layers laminated together using one or more polymer layers. The polymer layer can be a layer of polyvinyl butyral or other suitable polymer for attaching glass layers.

[0061] Although the side view of window 16 shows curved layer 58 only curved in one direction, this is by way of example only. If desired, curved layer 58 may be curved in two different directions or three different directions. In other words, curved layer 58 may exhibit a compound curvature if desired.

[0062] An infrared-reflective coating 60 may be formed on the curved layer 58. The infrared-reflective coating 60 may have the same composition as the infrared-reflective coating 24 of Figure 3 and / or the exemplary infrared-reflective coating stack of Figure 5. Regardless of the composition of the infrared-reflective coating 60, the infrared-reflective coating 60 may have a curvature that matches the curvature of the curved layer 58. In this manner, an infrared-reflective coating may be formed on a curved window.

[0063] According to one embodiment, a window configured to separate an interior region from an exterior region is provided, the window including a window layer, an infrared reflective layer overlying the window layer, a getter layer on the infrared reflective layer, a barrier layer on the getter layer, and a seed layer on the barrier layer.

[0064] According to another embodiment, the window layer is a glass layer, the infrared reflective layer comprises silver, the getter layer comprises amorphous silicon-rich silicon nitride, the seed layer comprises doped zinc oxide, and the window further comprises an additional barrier layer interposed between the glass layer and the infrared reflective layer, an additional seed layer interposed between the additional barrier layer and the infrared reflective layer, an additional infrared reflective layer on the seed layer, and a protective layer overlying the additional infrared reflective layer.

[0065] According to another embodiment, the getter layer has a thickness of 1-2 nm, and the getter layer comprises metal nanoparticles in amorphous silicon-rich silicon nitride.

[0066] According to another embodiment, the metal nanoparticles include silver nanoparticles.

[0067] According to another embodiment, the silver in the infrared reflective layer is polycrystalline silver having a grain size of 15-30 nm and the doped zinc oxide is doped with aluminum.

[0068] According to another embodiment, the infrared reflective layer has a thickness equal to the grain size of the polycrystalline silver.

[0069] According to another embodiment, the barrier layer and the additional barrier layer are ZnSnOx layers.

[0070] According to another embodiment, the infrared reflective layer comprises silver and the getter layer comprises an amorphous material.

[0071] According to another embodiment, the amorphous material is selected from the group of materials consisting of amorphous silicon, amorphous silicon-rich silicon nitride, and amorphous germanium.

[0072] According to another embodiment, the infrared reflective layer comprises silver and the getter layer comprises ink.

[0073] According to another embodiment, the infrared reflective layer comprises silver and the getter layer comprises metal nanoparticles in a dielectric layer.

[0074] According to another embodiment, the metal nanoparticles include silver nanoparticles.

[0075] According to another embodiment, the window is a curved glass layer having a first curvature and the infrared reflective layer has a second curvature that matches the first curvature.

[0076] According to another embodiment, the window includes a hybrid coating layer interposed between the window layer and the infrared reflective layer.

[0077] According to one embodiment, a window is provided that includes a glass layer, a first resonator on the glass layer, a second resonator overlapping the first resonator, and a getter layer interposed between the first resonator and the second resonator.

[0078] According to another embodiment, the getter layer comprises an amorphous material, and the first and second resonators each comprise two half mirrors separated by a dielectric layer.

[0079] According to another embodiment, the two half mirrors in the first and second resonators each include a silver layer.

[0080] According to another embodiment, the getter layer has a thickness of 1-2 nm and the amorphous material is selected from the group consisting of amorphous silicon-rich silicon nitride, amorphous silicon, and amorphous germanium.

[0081] According to another embodiment, the getter layer comprises metal nanoparticles in a dielectric layer.

[0082] According to another embodiment, the getter layer comprises an ink layer.

[0083] According to one embodiment, there is provided a window comprising a glass layer, a first barrier layer on the glass layer, the first barrier layer comprising zinc oxide, a first seed layer on the first barrier layer, the first seed layer comprising doped zinc oxide, a first silver layer on the first seed layer, a getter layer on the first silver layer, the getter layer comprising an amorphous material, a second seed layer on the getter layer, the second seed layer comprising doped zinc oxide, a second barrier layer on the second seed layer, the second barrier layer comprising zinc oxide, a third seed layer on the second barrier layer, the third seed layer comprising doped zinc oxide, and a second silver layer on the third seed layer.

[0084] The above is merely illustrative and various modifications may be made to the described embodiments. The above embodiments may be implemented individually or in any combination.

Claims

1. A window configured to separate an interior region from an exterior region, comprising: A window layer; an infrared reflective layer overlying the window layer; a getter layer comprising metal nanoparticles on the infrared reflective layer; a barrier layer on the getter layer; a seed layer on the barrier layer; A window.

2. the window layer is a glass layer, the infrared reflective layer comprises silver, the getter layer comprises amorphous silicon rich silicon nitride, the seed layer comprises doped zinc oxide, and the window is an additional barrier layer interposed between the glass layer and the infrared reflective layer; an additional seed layer interposed between the additional barrier layer and the infrared reflective layer; an additional infrared reflective layer on said seed layer; a protective layer overlying the additional infrared reflective layer; The window of claim 1 further comprising:

3. The window of claim 2, wherein the getter layer has a thickness of 1-2 nm and the metal nanoparticles are formed in the amorphous silicon-rich silicon nitride.

4. The window of claim 3 , wherein the metal nanoparticles comprise silver nanoparticles.

5. 3. The window of claim 2, wherein the silver in the infrared reflective layer is polycrystalline silver having a grain size of 15 to 30 nm and the doped zinc oxide is doped with aluminum.

6. 6. The window of claim 5, wherein said infrared reflective layer has a thickness equal to said grain size of said polycrystalline silver.

7. The window of claim 6 , wherein the barrier layer and the additional barrier layer are ZnSnO x layers.

8. 10. The window of claim 1 wherein the infrared reflective layer comprises silver and the getter layer comprises an amorphous material.

9. 9. The window of claim 8, wherein the amorphous material is selected from the group of materials consisting of amorphous silicon, amorphous silicon-rich silicon nitride, and amorphous germanium.

10. The window of claim 1 , wherein the infrared reflective layer comprises silver and the getter layer comprises ink.

11. 10. The window of claim 1, wherein the infrared reflective layer comprises silver and the metal nanoparticles are formed in a dielectric layer.

12. The window of claim 11 , wherein the metal nanoparticles comprise silver nanoparticles.

13. 10. The window of claim 1, wherein the window is a curved glass ply having a first curvature and the infrared reflective layer has a second curvature that matches the first curvature.

14. 10. The window of claim 1, further comprising a hybrid coating layer interposed between the window layer and the infrared reflective layer.

15. A glass layer; a first resonator on the glass layer; a second resonator overlapping the first resonator; a getter layer including metal nanoparticles interposed between the first resonator and the second resonator; A window.

16. 16. The window of claim 15, wherein the getter layer comprises an amorphous material, and the first resonator and the second resonator each comprise two half mirrors separated by a dielectric layer.

17. 17. The window of claim 16, wherein the two half mirrors in the first and second resonators each include a silver layer, the getter layer has a thickness of 1-2 nm, and the amorphous material is selected from the group consisting of amorphous silicon-rich silicon nitride, amorphous silicon, and amorphous germanium.

18. The window of claim 15 , wherein the metal nanoparticles are formed in a dielectric layer.

19. The window of claim 15 , wherein the getter layer comprises an ink layer.

20. A glass layer; a first barrier layer on the glass layer, the first barrier layer comprising zinc oxide; a first seed layer on the first barrier layer, the first seed layer comprising doped zinc oxide; a first silver layer on the first seed layer; a getter layer on the first silver layer, the getter layer comprising an amorphous material and metal nanoparticles; a second seed layer on the getter layer, the second seed layer comprising the doped zinc oxide; a second barrier layer on the second seed layer, the second barrier layer comprising the zinc oxide; and a third seed layer on the second barrier layer, the third seed layer comprising the doped zinc oxide; a second silver layer on the third seed layer; and A window.

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