Multi-Layer Photonic Structures Having Omni-Directional Reflectivity and Coatings Incorporating The Same

A UV-IR reflective multilayer photonic structure comprising layers of high index material and low index material having a form [0.5 L H (LH)N 0.5 L] where H is a layer of high index dielectric material, L is a layer of the low index dielectric material and N is the number pairs of layers of high index material and layers of low index materials, wherein:

• N is an integer ≧1;
• the low index dielectric material has an index of refraction nL from about 1.3 to about 2.5;
• the high index dielectric material has an index of refraction nH from about 1.8 to about 3.5, wherein nH>nL and, for angles of incidence from about 0 degrees to about 80 degrees, the multi-layer photonic structure comprises a reflectivity band greater than about 300 nm for light in the infrared spectrum, a reflectivity band greater than about 50 nm for light in the ultraviolet spectrum, and the multi-layer photonic structure is substantially transparent to visible light for angles of incidence from about 0 degrees to about 15 degrees.

An article of manufacture comprising a broadband omni-directionally reflective coating with at least one reflectivity band comprising a bandwidth greater than about 250 nm for angles of light incident on the coating from about 0° to about 80°, the coating comprising:

• a binder and a plurality of multi-layer photonic structures dispersed in the binder, wherein the multi-layer photonic structures have a range to mid-range value from about 20% to about 50% and at least one reflectivity band having a bandwidth greater than about 250 nm for angles of light incident on the multilayer photonic structure from about 0° to at least about 45°.