Systems with infrared rejection coatings

Abstract

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 rejection coating. The infrared rejection coating may be formed from a textured metal layer or textured dielectric layer that blocks infrared light while diffusively reflecting some visible light. The rest of the visible light incident on the infrared rejection coating may be transmitted and / or specularly reflected. The infrared rejection coating may also include a diffuser with light-scattering particles. Overall, the infrared rejection coating may have a matte appearance and may have a low color shift across a wide range of viewing angles. Two or more layers within the coating may also be index-matched, and the coating may therefore have low haze.

Description

Systems With Infrared Rejection CoatingsThis application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application No.63 / 513,657, filed July 14, 2023, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.Field

[0001] This relates generally to structures that pass light, and, more particularly, to transparent structures.Background

[0002] Transparent structures, such as windows, generally include transparent layers, such as glass layers. If care is not taken, the glass layers may pass an undesired amount of infrared light.Summary

[0003] A system such as a vehicle, a building, or an electronic device may have transparent structures, such as windows. A transparent structure may separate an interior region from an exterior region, such as the interior and exterior regions of a vehicle. A transparent structure may have structural layers such as an inner glass layer and an outer glass layer. The inner and outer glass layers may be separated by an air gap, or the space between the inner and outer glass layers may be filled with interlayers. The outer glass layer may be transparent, while the inner glass layer may be tinted, such as using active tinting.

[0004] One or more infrared rejection coatings may be applied to the inner and / or outer glass layers. The infrared rejection coating may be formed from multiple metal layers that block infrared light. At least one of these metal layers may be textured to diffusively reflect at least some of the visible light that is incident on the coating. Alternatively, the infrared rejection coating may be formed from dielectrics, such as dielectric layers with alternating high and low indexes of refraction. The dielectrics may be textured. The textured layer(s) may have textured features, such as micro-facetted surface structures, that are spaced apart to ensure that infrared light is unaffected by the textured features and is therefore rejected by the coating, while visible light is diffusely reflected by the textured features. In particular, thetextured layer(s) may remain continuous over the entire surface or a large enough area of the coating (e.g., larger than the maximum infrared wavelength that needs rejection, such as 2.5 microns). Visible light incident on the infrared rejection coating that is not diffusely reflected by the textured features may be transmitted and / or specularly reflected by the textured features.

[0005] The infrared rejection coating may also include a diffuser with light-scattering particles, such as spherical or elliptical particles. Alternatively or additionally, sub-surface scatterers, such as polymeric glue or varnish pre-loaded with scatterers may be used. Overall, the infrared rejection coating may have a matte appearance and may have a low color shift across a wide range of viewing angles. Two or more layers within the coating may also be index-matched, and the coating may therefore may have low transmissive haze.

[0006] The transparent structure may form a part of a vehicle, such as canopy that extends over the windshield, roof glass, and / or backlite, or may be a clear pre-formed polymer two- dimensional or three-dimensional substrate, such as polycarbonate. A vehicle canopy may extend from a front of the vehicle to a rear of the vehicle, and between sides of the vehicle. The vehicle may include a vehicle body that has a first reflectivity profile, and the coating (on the transparent structure) may have a second reflectivity profile that matches the first reflectivity profile. In this way, the transparent structure may have a similar appearance to the vehicle body.Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an illustrative system in accordance with some embodiments.

[0008] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view of an illustrative transparent structure having an infrared rejection coating in accordance with some embodiments.

[0009] FIG. 3 is a side view of an illustrative transparent structure having an infrared rejection coating with a textured metal layer in accordance with some embodiments.

[0010] FIG. 4 is a side view of an illustrative transparent structure having multiple textured layers in accordance with some embodiments.

[0011] FIG. 5 is a side view of an illustrative infrared rejection coating in accordance with some embodiments.

[0012] FIG. 6 is a graph of illustrative reflectivity profiles over a range of wavelengths foran infrared rejection coating in accordance with some embodiments.

[0013] FIG. 7 is a graph of illustrative color shifts over a range of viewing angles of an infrared rejection coating in accordance with some embodiments.

[0014] FIG. 8 is a side view of an illustrative curved transparent structure having an infrared rejection coating in accordance with some embodiments.

[0015] FIG. 9A is a side view of an illustrative system that may include a transparent structure in accordance with some embodiments.

[0016] FIG. 9B is a front view of an illustrative system that may include a transparent structure in accordance with some embodiments.Detailed Description

[0017] A system may have transparent structures, such as windows. The transparent structures may include structures for blocking infrared light. Optionally, additional coatings, such as antireflection layers, or electro-optically adjustable components may also be incorporated into the transparent structures. The system may be an electronic device, a building, a vehicle, or other suitable system. Illustrative configurations in which the system with the transparent structures is a vehicle may sometimes be described herein as an example. This is merely illustrative. Transparent structures may be formed in any suitable system.

[0018] The electrically adjustable components of the transparent structures may be used to adjust the optical properties of the windows. For example, electrically adjustable transparent structures may be adjusted to change the absorption (and / or reflection) of light and therefore the light transmission of the transparent structures. An adjustable light modulator layer may, for example, serve as an electrically adjustable sunroof for a rooftop window or may be used to implement an electrically adjustable shade for a side, front, or rear window. In an illustrative configuration, the transparency of the transparent structure may be modulated using a liquid crystal light modulator such as a guest-host liquid crystal light modulator. Adjustable optical component layers may also be used to display images, to provide illumination, and / or to otherwise adjust the appearance and behavior of a window.

[0019] A transparent structure for the system may include multiple glass layers. For example, a 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. Thegap may be filled with air or may be filled with a polymer, liquid, or other functional dielectric. Alternatively, the gap may be a vacuum (e.g., the transparent structure may be an evacuated sealed glazing with support micro pillars). Illustrative configurations in which the inner and outer glass layers are separated by polymer, such as a polymer adhesive, are sometimes described herein as an example.

[0020] The glass layers of a window may be single-layer glass layers (e.g., single layers of heat strengthened or tempered glass) or, in some configurations, may be multi-layer structures formed, for example, from first and second glass layers that are laminated together. A laminated glass layer may have a polymer such as polyvinyl butyral (PVB) that joins 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 interposed PVB) and single-layer glass layers may include optional tinting (e.g., dye, pigment, etc.). Polymer layers in laminated glass layers (e.g., PVB layers) may also optionally be passively tinted.

[0021] As an alternative to glass, polymer layers may be used in forming windows. For example, windows may include one or more polymer layers, such as polycarbonate or acrylic layers. Laminated window structures may be formed from multiple polymer layers with an interlayer, such as a thermoplastic urethane (TPU) interlayer. In general, any desired interlayer may be used.

[0022] In some cases, it may be desirable to reduce an amount of infrared light that passes through a transparent structure. For example, reducing the amount of infrared light passing through a window may reduce the amount of heat that enters a system, such as an electronic device, vehicle, or building. To reduce the amount of infrared light passing through the window, an infrared light rejection coating may be incorporated on one or more layers, such as glass or polymer layers, in the window. Examples in which an infrared light rejection coating is coupled to glass window layers are sometimes described herein, but the infrared light rejection coating may be applied on any desired layers.

[0023] Moreover, it may be desirable that the transparent structure have appearance characteristics that match surrounding portions of the system (e.g., the vehicle). For example, if the transparent structure is surrounded by plastic or metal, it may be desirable for the window to have diffuse reflectance, low haze, and an angle-independent color appearance. Additionally, it may be desirable for the transparent structure to have a matte (or less glossy)appearance.

[0024] The infrared light rejection coating may include one or more infrared reflective layers (such as silver layers or a stack of dielectric layers with alternating high and low refractive indexes) that reduce the amount of infrared light that passes through the transparent structure. The infrared reflective layers may be textured and / or additional diffusive particles may be included in the coating to create a diffuse reflection. At the same time, the transparent structure may have clear (e.g., non-diffuse) transmission. In this way, the appearance of the transparent window with the infrared light rejection coating may match the appearance of the surrounding metal or plastic portions of the system.

[0025] An illustrative system of the type that may include transparent structures with one or more infrared light rejection coatings 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 face of the device housing, and electronic components within the device housing. In other examples, system 10 may be a vehicle having a body with a chassis to which wheels are mounted, propulsion and steering systems, and other vehicle systems. The vehicle body may include doors, trunk structures, a hood, side body panels, a roof, and / or other body structures. The vehicle body may be formed from plastic, metal, glass, and / or other suitable materials. Seats may be formed in the interior of the body. However, these examples are merely illustrative. In general, system 10 may be any desired system.

[0026] Regardless of the particular system, system 10 may include transparent structures such as transparent structure(s) 16 (also referred to as window(s) 16 herein). Transparent structures 16 may separate the interior of system 10 from the exterior environment that is surrounding system 10. For example, transparent structures 16 may include windows on the front and / or rear of an electronic device; on the front, rear, and sides of a vehicle; or on the sides of a building, as examples. In some illustrative embodiments, transparent structures 16 may include a windshield, a backlite, one or more side windows, a canopy (e.g., a single piece canopy that extends over the areas traditionally occupied by the windshield, backlite, and roof glass), and / or a roof glass. In some illustrative embodiments, a transparent structure, such as a windshield or canopy, may extend over headlights of the vehicle (e.g., theheadlights may operate through the transparent structure). In general, however, windows 16 may be formed in any desired locations within any desired systems.

[0027] Input-output devices 21 may include sensors, audio components, displays, and other components. For example, input-output devices 21 may provide output to an occupant of a vehicle, may make measurements of the environment surrounding the vehicle, and may gather input from an occupant of the vehicle. If desired, some of the input-output devices may operate through transparent structure(s) 16. In some examples, input-output devices 21 may include communication devices, such as radios, that receive and / or send radio waves through transparent structure(s) 16. In other examples, input-output devices 21 may include optical sensors, such as cameras, ambient light sensors, light detection and ranging (LIDAR) sensors, radar sensors, or other suitable sensors that operate through transparent structure(s) 16.

[0028] Controller 23 may include storage and processing circuitry such as volatile and nonvolatile memory, microprocessors, application-specific integrated circuits, digital signal processors, microcontroller, and other circuitry for controlling the operation of the system, such as the vehicle. During operation, controller 23 may control the components of the vehicle based on input from input-output devices 21.

[0029] An illustrative configuration for a transparent structure such as one of transparent structures 16 of FIG. 1 is shown in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 2, transparent structures 16 may separate interior region 14 (e.g., a region inside system 10, such as a region inside a vehicle - also referred to as interior 14 herein) from exterior region 18 (e.g., a region on the outside of system 10, such as region outside the vehicle - also referred to as exterior 18 herein). Transparent structure 16 may include inner layer 20 and outer layer 22. Layers 20 and 22 may be glass layers, ceramic layers, sapphire layers, polymer layers (such as polycarbonate or acrylic layers), or any other desired layers, and may be transparent or partially transparent (e.g., may be tinted to reduce the transmission of some visible light). Layers 20 and 22 may be also referred to as substrates herein (e.g., when coatings are applied to the layers).

[0030] Layers 20 and 22 may be formed from single-layer glass structures and / or multilayer 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 22may be a single-layer glass structure (e.g., a single layer of tempered glass) or a laminated glass layer. In embodiments in which layer 20 and / or layer 22 are laminated glass layers, they may include multiple layers of glass that are laminated together using one or more polymer layers. In embodiments in which layer 20 and / or layer 22 are laminated polymer layers, they may include multiple layers of polymer that are laminated together using one or more additional polymer layers. The polymer layers may be a layer of polyvinyl butyral, thermoplastic polyurethane, or other suitable polymer for attaching the glass layers.

[0031] Layers 20 and 22 may be separated by gap 25. Gap 25 may be an air gap, or gap 25 may be filled with any desired substance. For example, gap 25 may be filled with a polymer, liquid, or other dielectric. In some cases, gap 25 may be omitted, if desired. For example, gap 25 may be filled by one or more other materials, such as optically clear adhesive (OCA).

[0032] Light, such as light 27, may be incident on transparent structure 16. As shown in FIG. 2, light 27 may be incident on outer layer 22, having reached transparent structure 16 from exterior region 18. Light 27 may include visible, infrared, ultraviolet, and other wavelengths. To reduce the transmission of infrared light through transparent structure 16, inner layer 20 may be coated with infrared rejection coating 24, which may reflect infrared light (e.g., infrared wavelengths of light 27) from reaching interior region 14. Reducing the infrared light passing through transparent structure 16 may reduce the heat transferred to interior region 14 from exterior region 18.

[0033] Although light 27 is shown as being in exterior region 18, light with undesirable infrared components may be in interior region 14 and blocked by infrared rejection coating 24 on inner layer 20, as well.

[0034] Although infrared rejection coating 24 is shown in FIG. 2 as being on the outer surface of inner layer 20, this is merely illustrative. As shown in FIG. 2, infrared rejection coating 24 may be at location 24' on the inner surface of outer layer 22 instead of or in addition to being on inner layer 20. Alternatively or additionally, infrared rejection coating 24 may be formed on the outside of transparent structure 16 (i.e., on the outer surface of outer layer 22 or the inner surface of inner layer 20), or may be formed on an additional layer that is formed between inner layer 20 and outer layer 22. In general, infrared rejection coating 24 may be formed anywhere within window 16 to reduce the amount of infrared light that passes through transparent structure 16.

[0035] If infrared rejection coating 24 is formed on a polymer layer, such as a layer ofpolycarbonate, it may be desirable to include an additional coating layer between infrared rejection coating 24 and the polymer layer. For example, a coating layer may be applied (e.g., through chemical vapor deposition (CVD) on the polymer layer prior to applying infrared rejection coating 24. The coating layer may reduce the stress on the polymer when infrared rejection 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 illustrative. In general, the hybrid coating may be formed from any desired material, such as ZrOC:H or TiOC:H. The coating may also be an anti-reflection layer, as it may have a refractive index that is the same or slightly higher than the underlying polymer. The refractive index of the coating may be graded, if desired.

[0036] Regardless of where one or more infrared rejection coatings, such as infrared rejection coating 24, are formed, the infrared rejection coatings may include one or more layers to reflect infrared light. An illustrative stack up of a transparent structure having an infrared rejection coating is shown in FIG. 3.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 3, transparent structure 16 may include transparent layer 22 at exterior 18 and layer 20 at interior 14. In some embodiments, transparent layer 22 may be formed from glass, sapphire, polycarbonate, or other transparent material, and layer 20 may be formed from tinted glass, tinted sapphire, tinted polycarbonate, or other tinted material. However, these materials are merely illustrative. In general, one or both of layers 20 or 22 may be tinted, or both layers 20 and 22 may be transparent. Moreover, in some embodiments, an active tint layer (e.g., a liquid crystal layer) may be incorporated between layers 20 and 22. The active tint layer may be adjusted, such as by a controller in a vehicle, to adjust the tint level of transparent structure 16.

[0038] Optically-clear adhesives (OCAs) 30 and 32 may be coupled to transparent layers 22 and 20 to bond the transparent layers to one another and to the other layers between the transparent layers. OCAs 30 and 32 may be index-matched to layers 20 and 22. In other words, OCAs 30 and 32 may have refractive indexes within 0.1, within 0.2, or within 0.3 of the refractive indexes of layers 20 and 22, as examples. In some embodiments, OCAs 30 and 32 may also be index-matched to one another and / or to the layers between OCAs 30 and 32. For example, OCA 30 may have a gradient of refractive index values that gradually changesbetween layers 20 and 22.

[0039] Coating 24 may be formed on OCA 30. In particular, coating 24 may include infrared rejection (IRR) coating 26. IRR coating 26 may be a metal layer, such as a silver layer, or may be another infrared-rejecting material. For example, IRR coating 26 may include multiple dielectric layers with alternating high and low indexes of refraction. In other embodiments, IRR coating 26 may be formed from a colored metal layer or colored dielectric layers. However, IRR coating 26 may be uncolored, if desired. Although one IRR coating 26 is shown in FIG. 3, this is merely illustrative. In general, multiple infrared rejection coatings, such as multiple metal (e.g., silver) layers may be incorporated into coating 24. For example, multiple silver layers may be separated by multiple dielectric layers. Alternatively, multiple dielectric layers with alternating high and low refractive indexes may be used to reject infrared light.

[0040] IRR coating 26 (e.g., at least one of the metal layers or dielectric layers used to block infrared light) may have textured surface 28. Textured surface 28 may have random texture, pseudo-random texture, or other texture. Textured surface 28 may include textured features, such as protrusions, that are have a roughness (e.g., height) of at least 0.3 microns, of between 0.1 and 0.5 microns, of less than 0.5 microns, or other suitable roughness. The textured features may be separated laterally by at least 500 nm, by less than 1 micron, by at least 100 microns, by between 100 microns and 750 microns, by between 500 and 750 microns, or other suitable distance. The textured features may be micro-facetted surface structures.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 3, infrared light 34 may be rejected by IRR coating 26. In particular, infrared light 34 may be absorbed and / or reflected by IRR coating 26 to prevent infrared light 34 from passing through window 16. Textured surface 28 may include textured features that are spaced apart to prevent diffusion of infrared light. Therefore, any infrared light reflected by IRR coating 26 may be reflected specularly, rather than diffusely. In other words, by spacing the textured features apart at a distance that is less than infrared wavelengths (e.g., less than the maximum infrared wavelength, such as 2.5 microns), textured surface 28 may not diffuse infrared light 34 and may act as a conventional IRR coating with respect to infrared light. For example, spacing textured features apart by approximately 500 nm, by less than 1 micron, between 250 nm and 750 nm, or other suitable distance, may prevent textured surface 28 from diffusing infrared light 34.

[0042] However, with respect to visible light 36, IRR coating 26 may allow some visible light to pass as light 40 and may diffuse other portions of visible light as diffused light 38. In particular, due to the texture of IRR coating 26, at least some visible light may be diffusely reflected as diffuse light 38. For example, diffuse light 38 may be diffused with a Lambertian reflectance profile. In this way, transparent structure 16 may have a matte appearance. However, this is merely illustrative. In general, light 38 may be diffused with any suitable reflectance profile.

[0043] IRR coating 26 may pass at least 5% of incident visible light, at least 10% of incident visible light, between 5% and 25% of incident visible light, or other suitable amount of incident visible light as light 40. In this way, transparent structure 16 may pass some incident light, allowing viewers to see through transparent structure 16, while diffusely reflecting a majority of incident visible light.

[0044] In general, by reflecting light 38 with diffuse reflection, transparent structure 16 (with IRR coating 26) may match an appearance of other materials in system 10. For example, if transparent structure 16 is formed in a vehicle and is surrounded by paint / plastic portions of a body of the vehicle, transparent structure 16 may reflect diffuse light in a similar or the same fashion as the surrounding portions of the vehicle body.

[0045] Although FIG. 3 shows all reflected light 38 being diffuse, this is merely illustrative. Reflected light 38 may include some specular reflections. In some embodiments, less than 10% of visible light reflected by coating 24 (such as 6% of reflected light) may be specular, while the rest of the reflected visible light is diffuse. However, this is merely illustrative. In general, coating 24 may reflect any suitable amounts of specular or diffuse light.

[0046] IRR coating 26 may be formed on substrate 29 (also referred to as diffuser 29 herein). Substrate 29 may include polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and / or an ultraviolet- curable material that is embossed with texture (e.g., to form textured surface 28) prior to curing. Optionally, substrate 29 may include scattering centers 44 (also referred to as particles 44 or scattering particles 44 herein) to provide additional scattering of light 36 via subsurface scattering. Scattering centers 44 may be spheres of metal or polymer material that scatters more of light 36. For example, scattering centers 44 may be sub-surface scatters, such as scatters formed from polymeric glue or varnish pre-loaded with the scatters.However, this is merely illustrative. Scattering centers 44 may have any suitable shape (e.g., elliptical shapes) and may be formed from any suitable material.

[0047] Polarizer 42 may be formed between substrate 29 and OCA 32, if desired. Polarizer 42 may be a linear polarizer, as an example, and may polarize light 40 prior to light 40 passing through layer 20 to interior 14.

[0048] In some embodiments, OCA 30, OCA 32, and / or substrate 29 may be index- matched. In other words, OCAs 30 and 32, and substrate 29 may have refractive indexes within 0.1, within 0.2, or within 0.3 of one another. If desired, OCAs 30 and 32, and substrate 29 may also be index-matched to layers 20 and 22. By index-matching at least some of the layers in coating 24, the transmissive haze of coating 24 may be reduced. For example, coating 24 may have a haze of less than of less than 10%, of less than 5%, or less than 3%, as examples. However, this is merely illustrative. If it is desirable to have coating 24 exhibit haze, the layers of coating 24 may have different refractive indexes and / or transparent structure 16 may include an adjustable haze layer. An adjustable haze layer may be formed from a liquid crystal layer (such as a cholesteric liquid crystal layer). The liquid crystals in the liquid crystal layer may have an index of refraction that matches the surrounding layers in a first state and an index of refraction that is different form the surrounding layers in a second state, and the controller in system 10 may adjust the liquid crystals between the first state and the second state. In this way, layer 50 may include an adjustable haze layer, being clear in the first state and hazy in the second state.

[0049] Although FIG. 3 shows particles 44 and polarizer 42, these may be omitted, if desired. In some embodiments, IRR coating 26 may be attached to layer 22 with OCA 30 without any intervening layers and may be attached to layer 20 with substrate 29 without any intervening layers. In general, however, any suitable number of layers may be incorporated into transparent structure 16.

[0050] Moreover, although FIG. 3 shows IRR coating 26 above substrate 29 with scattering centers 44, this is merely illustrative. In general, the layers in transparent structure 16 may be arranged in any suitable order, and transparent structure 16 may have any suitable number of textured layers. An illustrative example of transparent structure 16 having multiple textured layers is shown in FIG. 4.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 4, transparent structure 16 may include coating 24 on layer 22. Coating 24 may include seed layer 46, diffuser 29 on seed layer 46, and IRR coating 26 on diffuser 29. Seed layer 46 may be formed from any suitable material that promotes the deposition / growth of diffuser 29 and / or IRR coating 26, such as a doped zinc oxide layer(e.g., Al doped ZnOx).

[0052] Diffuser 29 may be formed on seed layer 46. Diffuser 29 may include a matrix material, such as a polymer or a resin, with particles 44 in the matrix material. Particles 44 may diffuse light that passes through transparent structure 16. Particles 44 may be spheres of metal or polymer material that scatters more of light 36. For example, particles 44 may be sub-surface scatters, such as scatters formed from polymeric glue or varnish pre-loaded with the scatters. However, this is merely illustrative. However, this is merely illustrative. Particles 44 may have any suitable shape (e.g., elliptical shapes) and may be formed from any suitable material.

[0053] IRR coating 26 may be formed on diffuser 29. IRR coating 26 may be a metal layer, such as a silver layer, or may be another infrared-rejecting material, such as dielectric layers with alternating high and low refractive indexes. In some embodiments, IRR coating 26 may be formed from a colored metal layer. However, IRR coating 26 may be uncolored, if desired.

[0054] IRR coating 26 (e.g., at least one of the metal layers or dielectric layers used to block infrared light), diffuser 29, and seed layer 46 may each have one or more textured surfaces to reflect visible light that enters transparent structure 16 in a diffuse manner, while blocking infrared light (e.g., absorbing infrared light or reflecting infrared light in a specular manner).

[0055] Although not shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, coating 24 and / or IRR coating 26 may be patterned. For example, material within coating 24 such as silver, may interfere with the transmission of waves, such as radio waves. If it is desirable to have radio waves pass through transparent structure 16 (e.g., if system 10 is a vehicle, a building, or an electronic device), at least portions of coating 24 (e.g., IRR coating 26) may be pattered to have openings. As a result, waves, such as radio waves, may pass through the openings unimpeded, while the remaining portions of IRR coating 26 block infrared light from passing through transparent structure 16.

[0056] The arrangement of FIG. 4, in which diffuser 29 is interposed between IRR coating 26 and seed layer 46, is merely illustrative. IRR coating 26 may be between diffuser 29 and seed layer 46, if desired. Moreover, in some embodiments, diffuser 29 may be omitted, and IRR coating 26 may be formed directly on seed layer 46 (or there may be other intervening layers between seed layer 46 and IRR coating 26).

[0057] Regardless of the number of textured layers in coating 24, IRR coating 26 may block infrared light, while transmitting visible light. An illustrative example of an IRR coating that may be incorporated into coating 24 is shown in FIG. 5.

[0058] Spacer layer 31 (also referred to as barrier layer 31 herein) may be formed on a substrate, such as one of transparent layers 20 or 22 (FIG. 2). Spacer layer 31 may be an amorphous layer and may be dense to protect the underlying transparent layer and the layers above spacer layer 31 while they are deposited. Spacer layer 31 may have a thickness of less than 50 nm, of greater than 20 nm, of between 20 nm and 30 nm, or other suitable thickness.

[0059] In general, spacer layer 31 may have an index of refraction close to that of the underlying transparent layer to reduce the reflection of light incident on the transparent layer. For example, spacer layer 31 may have an index of refraction 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 way, spacer layer 31 may form an antireflection coating on the transparent layer.

[0060] In some examples, spacer layer 31 may be a zinc oxide. For example, ZnSnOx may be used to form barrier spacer layer 31. Alternatively, spacer layer 31 may include TiOx, bismuth oxide, SiN, SiZrOxNy, NbO, another binary oxide, or any other desired material.

[0061] If the underlying transparent layer is formed from a polymer, such as polycarbonate, it may be desirable to include an additional coating layer between the transparent layer and spacer layer 31. For example, a coating layer may be applied (e.g., through chemical vapor deposition (CVD)) on the transparent layer prior to applying spacer layer 31. The coating layer may reduce the stress on the polymer of the transparent layer when the rest of the stack up 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 be an anti-reflection layer, as it may have a refractive index that is the same or slightly higher than the underlying polymer. The refractive index of the coating may be graded, if desired.

[0062] Seed layer 33 may be formed on spacer layer 31. Seed layer 33 may be a doped zinc oxide layer, such as Al doped ZnOx, or may be any other desired layer which would promote the growth of highly textured Ag, such as NiO. In some examples, seed layer 33 may be a crystalline layer. However, any desired material may be used to form seed layer 33. In general, seed layer 33 may facilitate the deposition of a high quality (Real(n) < 0.1, preferably Real part (n) less than 0.07 at 550 nm) IRR coating 26.

[0063] Seed layer 33 may have a thickness of less than 10 nm, less than 5 nm, between 2 nm and 7 nm, or other suitable thickness.

[0064] Infrared reflective layer 35 may be formed on seed layer 33. Infrared reflective layer 35 may be silver, or may be another desired infrared reflective material. In some examples, infrared reflective layer 35 may be a polycrystalline silver layer. Infrared reflective layer 35 may have any desired thickness, such as less than 30 nm, more than 8 nm, between 15-30 nm, between 10 nm and 20 nm, or other desired thickness. In one illustrative embodiment, infrared reflective layer 35 may have a thickness equal to the grain size of the polycrystalline silver forming infrared reflective layer 35. For example, the grain size may be 15-30 nm and the thickness of infrared reflective layer 35 may be 15-30 nm. In other words, infrared reflective layer 35 may be a poly crystalline silver layer that is one grain thick.

[0065] If desired, infrared reflective layer 35 may be patterned. For example, material within infrared reflective layer 35, such as silver, may interfere with the transmission of waves, such as radio waves. If it is desirable to have radio waves pass through window 16 (e.g., if system 10 is a vehicle, a building, or an electronic device), infrared reflective layer 35 may be pattered to have openings. As a result, waves, such as radio waves, may pass through the openings unimpeded, while the remaining portions of infrared reflective layer 35 block infrared light from passing through window 16.

[0066] If infrared reflective layer 35 is exposed to an edge of transparent structure 16 (e.g., as shown in FIGS. 3-4), infrared reflective layer 35 may be modified to prevent corrosion. For example, a corrosion-resistance material, such as zinc, gold, or other suitable material, may be added to the silver (or other metal) that provides infrared reflectivity. The specific corrosion-resistance material may be determined to ensure thermodynamic stability and a suitable lattice structure of infrared reflective layer 35.

[0067] In some embodiments, the corrosion-resistance material may form less than 3%, less than 5%, between 2% and 7%, or other suitable proportion of infrared reflective layer 35. The corrosion-resistance material may preferentially leach into the environment surrounding transparent structure 16, and may therefore prevent corrosion to infrared reflective layer 35.

[0068] Alternatively or additionally, IRR coating 26 may be etched very close to the edge of transparent structure 16. In other words, an edge of IRR coating 26 may be separated from the edge of transparent structure 16 by a gap, such as a gap of less than 8 mm from the edge of transparent structure 16. For example, the edge of IRR coating 26 may be separated fromthe edge of transparent structure 16 by a gap of less than 500 microns, 200 microns or less, less than 250 nm, between 100 microns and 200 and microns, between 250 nm (or approximately 250 nm) and 500 microns (or approximately 500 microns) or other suitable distance. To form the gap, laser etching may be used, as an example. In other words, the edge of IRR coating 26 may be laser-etched using a suitable laser, such as a femto-second laser, a pico-second laser, a micro-second laser, or a nano-second laser. The laser may be used to etch entirely through IRR coating 26, or at least through the metal (e.g., silver) layers of IRR coating 26. Such a gap from the edge may be smaller than traditional coatings, while infrared reflective layer(s) 35 may be protected from environmental corrosion by being spaced apart from the edge (such as by applying a laminate over IRR coating 26 and / or causing the metal of infrared reflective layer(s) 35 to become discontinuous / diffuse at the edge).

[0069] Getter layer 37 may be formed on infrared reflective layer 35. Getter layer 37 may include lossy dielectric material. For example, getter layer 37 may include amorphous material, such as amorphous silicon or amorphous germanium, may include ink, and / or may include nanoparticles. The nanoparticles may be metal nanoparticles, such as silver nanoparticles. Alternatively or additionally, getter layer 37 may include a Zn layer, an Al layer, an AlZn layer, an Al-rich AIN layer, a Ti layer, a NiCr layer, and / or an alloy layer.

[0070] Getter layer 37 may have a thickness of 2 nm or less, 5 nm or less, between 1 nm and 2 nm, or any other desired thickness. Regardless of the thickness and material of getter layer 37, the getter layer may protect infrared reflective layer 35 (e.g., a silver layer) from oxidizing as other layers are deposited over infrared reflective layer 35. For example, oxygen gas may be used during the deposition of layers over infrared reflective layer 35, which would otherwise oxidize the silver (or other material) within infrared reflective layer 35. In this way, getter layer 37 may help prevent the oxygen gas from reaching infrared reflective layer 35 and oxidizing the material forming infrared reflective layer 35.

[0071] This stack of layers may be repeated any desired number of times to ensure sufficient infrared reflectivity. For example, an infrared reflection coating may include at least three infrared reflective layers, at least four infrared reflective layers, or any other desired number of infrared reflective layers.

[0072] Overcoat layer 41 may be formed on the top of the infrared reflection coating stack. Overcoat layer 41 may be formed from any desired material, such as a polymer material, adielectric material, or an oxide material. In some examples, overcoat layer 41 may include an ZrSiOx, AlSiOx, SiOx, or SiON layer. In some embodiments, a spacer layer, such as spacer layer 39, may be incorporated between overcoat layer 41 and the top of the infrared reflection coating stack. Spacer layer 39 may be a dielectric layer or other suitable layer. However, regardless of whether spacer layer 39 is included, overcoat layer 41 may be formed on the infrared reflection coating stack, and infrared reflective layer(s) 35 may be further protected from corrosion. In some embodiments, for example, overcoat layer 41 may wrap around an edge of infrared reflective layer(s) 35.

[0073] In general, by having textured IRR coating 26 with optional diffuser 29 (FIGS. 3-4), coating 24 may have fairly constant reflection distributions across visible wavelengths. An illustrative reflection distribution for coatings 24 in FIGS. 3 and 4 is shown in FIG. 6.

[0074] As shown in FIG. 6, coatings 24 may have a relatively flat reflection distribution (e.g., a bi-directional reflectance distribution function (BRDF)) given by curve 52 (also referred to as reflectivity profile 52 herein) across wavelengths for wavelengths between 400 nm and 800 nm. In particular, in the illustrative example, curve 52 has a BRDF with reflections between 90% and 100% across visible wavelengths (e.g., from 400 nm to 800 nm). Curve 52 may be a reflectivity profile of visible light diffusely reflected by one of coatings 24. If desired, however, coating 24 may be tuned (e.g., with filters or other layers) to have higher or lower reflections in different regions of visible wavelengths, such as at one or more specific colors.

[0075] In some embodiments, an amount of visible light diffusely reflected (e.g., light 38 of FIG. 3) by coatings 24, may vary by less than 5% across visible wavelengths, by less than 10% across visible wavelengths, by less than 7% across visible wavelengths, or other suitable variance across visible wavelengths. In other words, a reflectivity profile of visible light diffusely reflected by one of coatings 24 may vary by less than 5% across visible wavelengths, by less than 10% across visible wavelengths, by less than 7% across visible wavelengths, or other suitable variance across visible wavelengths. In this way, coatings 24 may have low variations in reflectance regardless of the wavelengths of visible light incident on the coatings.

[0076] Curve 52, which corresponds with the BRDF profile for coatings 24, nearly matches curve 54, which is an illustrative BRDF profile for the body of a vehicle, such as metal (e.g., anodized aluminum). For example, the reflectivity profile 52 for coatings 24 may differ byless than 5%, less than 10%, or less than 7%, as examples, from the reflectivity profile 52 of a vehicle body across visible wavelengths. In this way, coatings 24 on a transparent member (such as a glazing) may have reflectivity profiles that are fairly constant across visible wavelengths and that match the BRDF profiles for surrounding materials in system 10, such as metals.

[0077] In addition to having flat BRDF profiles, coatings 24 may also have low color shifts at different viewing angles. Illustrative relationships of color and viewing angle for coatings 24 are shown in FIG. 7.

[0078] As shown in FIG. 7, coatings 24 may have a* and b* components in CIELAB color space. As shown by curves 56 and 57, the a* and b* components may shift at different viewing angles of coatings 24, such as between 0° and 75°. However, these shifts may be small, indicating a constant appearance (e.g., color) of coatings 24 at different viewing angles.

[0079] In particular, as indicated by curve 56, the a* and b* components of an illustrative coating 24 may shift by less than 2 in magnitude across all viewing angles from 0° and 75°. For example, coating 24 may have zero a* component and zero b* component at 0° and may have very small a* and b* components when viewed off-axis at 75°. For example, with a low lightness component (L*), coating 24 may have a dark appearance, such as a black appearance. In some specific embodiments, the a* component may shift by less than 2 in magnitude, and the b* component may shift by less than 1 in magnitude across all viewing angles from 0° to 75°.

[0080] Although curve 56 shows a coating 24 with very low a* and b* components, coating 24 may be colored (e.g., by coloring IRR coating 26 of FIGS. 3 and 4, or by adding additional layers with desired color(s)). In particular, as shown by curve 57, coating 24 may have a lower a* and b* values at 0° (such as an a* value of between -1 and -4, and a b* value between -6 and -9), but may still have a small shift in a* and b* values across viewing angles between 0° and 75°. In particular, the a* and b* components of an illustrative coating 24 may shift by less than 2 in magnitude across all viewing angles from 0° and 75°.

[0081] Overall, including the L* lightness component of CIELAB color space, coatings 24 may have an overall color difference AE given by Equation 1,where L*2, a*2, and b*2 correspond to the coating when viewed at a higher angle (e.g., 75°), and L*i, a*i, and b*i correspond to the coating when viewed at a lower angle (e.g., 0°). Coatings 24 may have a AE of 3 or less, of 2.5 or less, between 1 and 3, or other suitable value. In this way, coatings 24 may reject infrared light with IRR coating 26, may diffusely reflect at least some visible light with the texture of IRR coating 26 and / or the other layers in coatings 24, and may have a low color shift across viewing angles.

[0082] By having a low color shift (FIG. 7), a flat reflectivity profile (FIG. 6), a low haze, and / or diffuse light reflection, a transparent structure having coating 24 (e.g., IRR coating 26) may have an appearance that matches portions of a system surrounding the transparent structure, such as an appearance of a metal or trim member of a vehicle. However, this is merely illustrative. In general, the coating(s) on the transparent structure may provide the transparent structure with any suitable appearance.

[0083] An infrared rejection coating, such as coating 24, may be formed on any desired transparent structure, such as window 16. In some examples, an infrared reflection coating may be formed on a curved transparent structure. An example of this arrangement is shown in FIG. 8.

[0084] As shown in FIG. 8, transparent structure 16 may include curved layer 58. Curved layer 58 may be an inner or outer window layer, such as layer 20 or layer 22 of FIG. 2. Curved layer 58 may be formed from glass, ceramic, sapphire, polycarbonate, acrylic, or any other desired material. Curved layer 58 may be formed from a single-layer glass structure and / or multi-layer glass structures. Curved layer 58 may be strengthened (e.g., by annealing, tempering, and / or chemical strengthening), if desired. In general, curved layer 58 may be a single-layer glass structure (e.g., a single layer of tempered glass) or a laminated glass layer. In embodiments in which curved layer 58 is a laminated glass layer, curved layer 58 may include multiple layers of glass that are laminated together using one or more polymer layers. The polymer layers may be a layer of polyvinyl butyral or other suitable polymer for attaching the glass layers.

[0085] Although the side view of window 16 only shows curved layer 58 curved in one direction, this is merely illustrative. If desired, curved layer 58 may be curved in two different directions or three different directions. In other words, curved layer 58 may exhibit compound curvature, if desired.

[0086] Curved layer 58 may be curved with a geometric strain of at least 2%, of at least 3%, of between 3.5% and 6.5%, of between 2% and 6%, or other suitable strain. In this way, curved layer 58 may be a highly-curved transparent layer.

[0087] Infrared rejection coating 60 may be formed on curved layer 58. Infrared rejection coating 60 may have the same composition as coatings 24 of FIGS. 3 or 4. Regardless of the composition of infrared rejection coating 60, infrared rejection coating 60 may have a curvature that matches the curvature of curved layer 58. In this way, an infrared rejection coating may be formed on a curved window.

[0088] The texture of infrared rejection coating 60 (as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4) may provide for the diffuse reflection of visible light while having very low color shifts at different viewing angles, as well as matching surrounding portions of the system. In particular, infrared rejection coating 60 may provide this diffuse reflection and low color shift even when applied to a highly-curved layer, such as layer 58.

[0089] In some illustrative embodiments, system 10 (FIG. 1) may be a vehicle, and transparent structure 16 may form a single-piece canopy structure that extends over the regions traditionally occupied by the windshield, roof glass, and backlite, or that covers separate structure that form the windshield, roof glass, and backlite. For example, transparent structure 16 may form a windshield for the vehicle, and may extend to the front of the vehicle and overlap headlights of the vehicle. However, this is merely illustrative. In general, transparent structure 16 may be formed in any suitable system. An illustrative example of a transparent structure in a system is shown in FIGS. 9 A and 9B.

[0090] As shown in FIG. 9A, transparent structure 64 may extend from a region at front F of body 62 to a region at rear R of body 62, and may be coupled to body 62 between front F and rear R. Transparent structure 64 may correspond to transparent structure 16 of FIGS. 1-4 and 7 (e.g., an infrared rejection coating may be formed on some or all of transparent structure 64, and transparent structure 64 may be formed of the same materials as discussed above in connection with transparent structure 16).

[0091] Structure 64 may have curvature 66 between front F and rear R (e.g., along an axis that extends between front F and rear R of system 10). Windows 68 (e.g., side windows of the vehicle) may be formed below structure 64 on the sides of system 10, if desired.

[0092] Although curvature 66 is shown as having a constant radius in FIG. 9A, this is merely illustrative. In some embodiments, curvature 66 may have a non-constant radius,such as having a smaller radius at the front and the rear (e.g., the areas conventionally occupied by the windshield and backlite) and a larger radius at the top of system 10. In general, however, curvature 66 may be varied in any desired manner along the length of structure 64.

[0093] In addition to, or instead of, varying curvature 66 of transparent structure 64 between the front and rear of the system, a curvature of structure 64 between the sides of the system may be varied. An illustrative rear view of a system having structure 64 is shown in FIG. 9B.

[0094] As shown in FIG. 9B, structure 64 may extend from a region at one side S of system 10 to a region at the other side S of system 10, and may be coupled to body 62 between the sides S. Windows 16 (e.g., side windows of the vehicle) may be formed beneath transparent structure 64 at sides S of system 10, if desired.

[0095] Structure 64 may have curvature 70 between sides S of system 10. Curvature 70 may extend along an axis between sides S of system 10 and may be perpendicular to the axis along which curvature 66 extends. For example, curvature 70 may have a non-constant radius (e.g., the radius may change along the curvature 70 as it extends between sides S). In an illustrative embodiment, curvature 70 may have a smaller radius at the sides of system 10 and a larger radius at the top of system 10. However, this is merely illustrative. In general, curvature 70 may be varied in any desired manner between sides S. Alternatively, curvature 70 may have a constant radius between sides S, if desired.

[0096] Structure 64 may be formed from a large piece of curved glass. For example, structure 64 may have an area of at least 5 m2, at least 6 m2, at least 7 m2, or other suitable area to extend between the front and rear of a system and between the sides of the system.

[0097] Moreover, structure 64 may require complex curvature. In an illustrative example, structure 64 may have a first curvature in the area traditionally occupied by a windshield, a second curvature in the area traditionally occupied by a roof of a vehicle, and a third curvature in the area traditionally occupied by a backlite. The first, second, and / or third curvatures may be the same, or may vary from one another. For example, the first, second, and / or third curvatures may have different radii of curvature from the other portions of structure 64. However, these differences in curvature are merely illustrative. In general, structure 64 may have any desired curvature.

[0098] Although not shown in FIGS. 9 A and 9B, a transparent structure, such as transparentstructure 64 (or transparent structure 16) may be curved to wrap around front F of system 10 laterally (e.g., perpendicular to the direction of travel of system 10). In other words, the transparent structure may extend to cover the A pillar on the driver and / or passenger side of system 10.

[0099] Alternatively or additionally, a transparent structure, such as transparent structure 64 (or transparent structure 16) may form a windshield that extends along the vehicle in the direction of travel from a plane defining the front row of seats inside the vehicle to a plane forward of the front lights (e.g., headlights) of the vehicle. The windshield may cover the headlights, if desired. In some embodiments, the headlights may operate through the windshield.

[0100] However, these examples of a transparent structure in a vehicle are merely illustrative. In general, transparent structure 16 may be used to form any suitable transparent structure in a system, such as a windshield, backlite, roof glass, canopy, side windows, and / or glass portions of a body. In general, transparent structure 16 may be incorporated into any desired system, such as a building, vehicle, or other system.

[0101] In accordance with an embodiment, a transparent structure configured to separate an interior from an exterior is provided that includes a first outer layer, a second outer layer, and an infrared rejection coating between the first outer layer and the second outer layer, the infrared rejection coating is configured to block infrared light and to diffusely reflect visible light.

[0102] In accordance with another embodiment, the infrared rejection coating includes a textured metal layer.

[0103] In accordance with another embodiment, the textured metal layer includes a silver layer.

[0104] In accordance with another embodiment, the textured metal layer has textured features with heights of at least 0.3 microns, and the textured features are separated by between 100 microns and 750 microns.

[0105] In accordance with another embodiment, the infrared rejection coating includes a substrate, the textured metal layer is formed on the substrate, and the substrate includes lightscattering particles.

[0106] In accordance with another embodiment, the first outer layer is configured to face the exterior and the second outer layer is configured to face the interior, and the texturedmetal layer is interposed between the substrate and the first outer layer.

[0107] In accordance with another embodiment, the first outer layer is configured to face the exterior and the second outer layer is configured to face the interior, and the substrate is interposed between the textured metal layer and the first outer layer.

[0108] In accordance with another embodiment, the infrared rejection coating is configured to diffusely reflect the visible light with a reflectivity profile that varies less than 5% across visible wavelengths.

[0109] In accordance with another embodiment, the infrared rejection coating is configured to configured to exhibit maximum color coordinate value changes Aa and Ab in Lab color space that are each less than 2 in magnitude over a range of viewing angles from 0° to 75°.

[0110] In accordance with another embodiment, the first outer layer is a transparent layer and the second outer layer is a tinted layer.

[0111] In accordance with another embodiment, the first outer layer is a transparent layer, the transparent structure includes an active tint layer interposed between the first and second outer layers.

[0112] In accordance with another embodiment, the infrared rejection coating includes a stack of dielectric layers with alternating high and low indexes of refraction, and at least one of the dielectric layers is textured.

[0113] In accordance with an embodiment, a transparent structure is provided that includes a transparent layer, a tinted layer coupled to the transparent layer, and an infrared rejection coating interposed between the transparent layer and the tinted layer, the infrared rejection coating includes a textured metal layer, and a diffuser including light-scattering particles.

[0114] In accordance with another embodiment, the transparent structure includes a seed layer interposed between the infrared rejection coating and the transparent layer.

[0115] In accordance with another embodiment, the textured metal layer is interposed between the diffuser and the seed layer.

[0116] In accordance with another embodiment, the diffuser is interposed between the textured metal layer and the seed layer.

[0117] In accordance with another embodiment, the infrared rejection coating is configured to block infrared light and to diffusely reflect visible light.

[0118] In accordance with another embodiment, the textured metal layer has textured features with heights of at least 0.3 microns, and the textured features are separated bybetween 100 microns and 750 microns.

[0119] In accordance with another embodiment, an amount of light diffusely reflected by the infrared rejection coating is configured to vary by less than 5% across visible wavelengths.

[0120] In accordance with another embodiment, the infrared rejection coating is configured to configured to exhibit maximum color coordinate value changes Aa and Ab in Lab color space that are each less than 2 in magnitude over a range of viewing angles from 0° to 75°.

[0121] In accordance with an embodiment, a system is provided that includes a body, and a transparent structure coupled to the body, the transparent structure includes an infrared rejection coating that is configured to block infrared light and to diffusely reflect visible light.

[0122] In accordance with another embodiment, the infrared rejection coating is configured to transmit at least 5% of visible light.

[0123] In accordance with another embodiment, the body includes metal configured to reflect visible light diffusely with a first reflectivity profile, the visible light diffusively reflected by the infrared rejection coating has a second reflectivity profile, and the first and second reflectivity profiles differ less than 5% across visible wavelengths.

[0124] In accordance with another embodiment, the transparent structure is a curved transparent structure having a geometric strain of between 2% and 6%.

[0125] In accordance with another embodiment, the body has a first appearance in an area adjacent to the transparent structure, and the transparent structure with the infrared rejection coating has a second appearance that matches the first appearance.

[0126] The foregoing is merely illustrative and various modifications can be made to the described embodiments. The foregoing embodiments may be implemented individually or in any combination.

Claims

ClaimsWhat is Claimed is:

1. A transparent structure configured to separate an interior from an exterior, comprising: a first outer layer; a second outer layer; and an infrared rejection coating between the first outer layer and the second outer layer, wherein the infrared rejection coating is configured to block infrared light and to diffusely reflect visible light.

2. The transparent structure of claim 1, wherein the infrared rejection coating comprises a textured metal layer.

3. The transparent structure of claim 2, wherein the textured metal layer comprises a silver layer.

4. The transparent structure of claim 2, wherein the textured metal layer has textured features with heights of at least 0.3 microns, and wherein the textured features are separated by between 100 microns and 750 microns.

5. The transparent structure of claim 2, wherein the infrared rejection coating further comprises a substrate, wherein the textured metal layer is formed on the substrate, and wherein the substrate comprises light-scattering particles.

6. The transparent structure of claim 5, wherein the first outer layer is configured to face the exterior and the second outer layer is configured to face the interior, and wherein the textured metal layer is interposed between the substrate and the first outer layer.

7. The transparent structure of claim 5, wherein the first outer layer is configured to face the exterior and the second outer layer is configured to face the interior, and wherein the substrate is interposed between the textured metal layer and the first outer8. The transparent structure of claim 1, wherein the infrared rejection coating is configured to diffusely reflect the visible light with a reflectivity profile that varies less than 5% across visible wavelengths.

9. The transparent structure of claim 1, wherein the infrared rejection coating is configured to configured to exhibit maximum color coordinate value changes Aa and Ab in Lab color space that are each less than 2 in magnitude over a range of viewing angles from 0° to 75°.

10. The transparent structure of claim 1, wherein the first outer layer is a transparent layer and the second outer layer is a tinted layer.

11. The transparent structure of claim 1 , wherein the first outer layer is a transparent layer, the transparent structure further comprising: an active tint layer interposed between the first and second outer layers.

12. The transparent structure of claim 1, wherein the infrared rejection coating comprises a stack of dielectric layers with alternating high and low indexes of refraction, and wherein at least one of the dielectric layers is textured.

13. A transparent structure, comprising : a transparent layer; a tinted layer coupled to the transparent layer; and an infrared rejection coating interposed between the transparent layer and the tinted layer, wherein the infrared rejection coating comprises: a textured metal layer, and a diffuser comprising light-scattering particles.

14. The transparent structure of claim 13, further comprising:a seed layer interposed between the infrared rejection coating and the transparent layer.

15. The transparent structure of claim 14, wherein the textured metal layer is interposed between the diffuser and the seed layer.

16. The transparent structure of claim 14, wherein the diffuser is interposed between the textured metal layer and the seed layer.

17. The transparent structure of claim 13, wherein the infrared rejection coating is configured to block infrared light and to diffusely reflect visible light.

18. The transparent structure of claim 13, wherein the textured metal layer has textured features with heights of at least 0.3 microns, and wherein the textured features are separated by between 100 microns and 750 microns.

19. The transparent structure of claim 13, wherein an amount of light diffusely reflected by the infrared rejection coating is configured to vary by less than 5% across visible wavelengths.

20. The transparent structure of claim 13, wherein the infrared rejection coating is configured to configured to exhibit maximum color coordinate value changes Aa and Ab in Lab color space that are each less than 2 in magnitude over a range of viewing angles from 0° to 75°.

21. A system, comprising : a body; and a transparent structure coupled to the body, wherein the transparent structure comprises an infrared rejection coating that is configured to block infrared light and to diffusely reflect visible light.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein the infrared rejection coating isconfigured to transmit at least 5% of visible light.

23. The system of claim 21, wherein the body comprises metal configured to reflect visible light diffusely with a first reflectivity profile, wherein the visible light diffusively reflected by the infrared rejection coating has a second reflectivity profile, and wherein the first and second reflectivity profiles differ less than 5% across visible wavelengths.

24. The system of claim 21, wherein the transparent structure is a curved transparent structure having a geometric strain of between 2% and 6%.

25. The system of claim 21, wherein the body has a first appearance in an area adjacent to the transparent structure, and the transparent structure with the infrared rejection coating has a second appearance that matches the first appearance.

Images