First surface mirror with chromium nitride layer
AssigneesGuardian Industries Corp., C.R.V.C.
InventorsFrancis Wuillaume, Anton Dietrich, Brent Boyce, Gregory Scott
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A mirror (e.g., first surface mirror) is provided with a layer of or including chromium nitride (CrNx). In certain example embodiments, the CrNx layer may be the primary reflective layer of the mirror. Surprisingly and unexpectedly, it has been found the addition of nitrogen to the chromium to form CrNx reduces pinhole formations in the resulting layer. In certain example embodiments, the more nitrogen which is introduced into the layer, the smaller the number and/or size of pinholes in the Cr inclusive layer. In certain example embodiments, it has also been found that the addition of nitrogen to Cr may improve durability.
Claims41
A mirror comprising:
- a substrate supporting a coating,
- wherein the coating includes at least a reflective layer comprising chromium nitride.
A mirror comprising:
- a glass substrate supporting a layer comprising chromium nitride, and
- wherein the mirror has a visible transmission of no greater than 5%.
A method of making a mirror, the method comprising:
- providing a glass substrate;
- sputtering a target comprising Cr in an atmosphere comprising nitrogen gas in order to form a layer comprising chromium nitride on the glass substrate;
- and
- wherein said sputtering comprises using a nitrogen gas flow in the atmosphere which represents from about 1-21% of total gas flow in the atmosphere.
A mirror comprising:
- a substrate supporting a coating,
- wherein the coating includes at least a reflective layer comprising a metal nitride, wherein the metal is nitrided sufficiently so as to reduce pinholes and so that the mirror has a film side reflective a* color of from −2.0 to +2.0, and a film side reflective b* color of from −3.0 to +1.5.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.