UV protective coating for lens assemblies having protective layer between light absorber and adhesive

A lens assembly comprising,

• a lens;
• a light absorber that does not transmit light with wavelengths from greater than or equal to about 190 nm to less than or equal to about 500 nm, wherein the light absorber comprises one or more members selected from the group consisting of chromium, zinc, nickel, manganese, iron, silver, gold, nitrides thereof, and carbides thereof;
• a protective layer positioned on the light absorber, wherein the protective layer comprises a member selected from the group consisting of metal oxides, metal carbides, metal nitrides, and mixtures thereof;
• an adhesion promoter layer, wherein the adhesion promoter layer comprises a member selected from the group consisting of metal oxides, metal carbides, metal nitrides, and mixtures thereof;
• an anti-reflective layer, wherein the anti-reflective layer comprises a member selected from the group consisting of metal oxides, metal carbides, metal nitrides, and mixtures thereof;
• wherein the protective layer is between the light absorber and the adhesive, and the adhesion promoter layer and anti-reflective layer are positioned between the lens and the light absorber;
• a lens support;
• and
• at least one support pad positioned on the lens support.

A method for reducing degradation of an adhesive in a lens assembly, the method comprising:

• applying a light absorber to a lens, wherein the light absorber does not transmit light with wavelengths from greater than or equal to about 190 nm to less than or equal to about 500 nm, wherein the light absorber comprises one or more members selected from the group consisting of chromium, zinc, nickel, manganese, iron, silver, gold, nitrides thereof, and carbides thereof;
• applying an adhesion promoter layer to the lens, wherein the adhesion promoter layer comprises a member selected from the group consisting of metal oxides, metal carbides, metal nitrides, and mixtures thereof;
• applying an anti-reflective layer to the lens, wherein the anti-reflective layer comprises a member selected from the group consisting of metal oxides, metal carbides, metal nitrides, and mixtures thereof;
• applying a protective layer to the lens, wherein the protective layer comprises a member selected from the group consisting of metal oxides, metal carbides, metal nitrides, and mixtures thereof;
• wherein the protective layer is between the light absorber and the adhesive, and the adhesion promoter layer and anti-reflective layer are positioned between the lens and the light absorber;
• and
• configuring the light absorber and the adhesive so that light with wavelengths from greater than or equal to about 190 nm to less than or equal to about 500 nm is not incident to the adhesive.