Anti-reflective coatings by APCVD using graded index layers

An anti-reflection coating, composed of a graded-index layer and one or two fixed-index layers, is described. The theory of anti-reflection coatings composed of graded-index layers is described in relation to the anti-reflection theory of fixed-index coatings. A sensitivity analysis comparison shows that the anti-reflection performance of the graded-index design is less sensitive to either refractive index or thickness changes in the graded-index layer compared to the first layer in the fixed-index designs. The graded-index designs are more useful in a float glass production environment because their robust character equates to larger yields. The reflectance spectrum of a two-layer, graded-index, anti-reflection coating is shown. (C) 1997 Published by Elsevier Science B.V.