Gentex Corporation
Transflective coatings for transparencies

Abstract:

An electro-optic element includes a first substantially transparent substrate defining a first surface and a second surface. A second substantially transparent substrate defines a third surface and a fourth surface. A primary seal is disposed between the first and second substrates. The seal and the first and second substrates define a cavity. An electro-optic material is positioned within the cavity. A transflective coating having a transmittance of between about 15% and about 60% in a visible wavelength band is positioned on at least one of the second and third surfaces. The transflective coating includes a first layer including an absorbing material, a second layer, a third layer including a low index metal and a fourth layer. The second and fourth layers include at least one of a dielectric material and a transparent conducting oxide.