UV reflective photocatalytic dielectric combiner having indices of refraction greater than 2.0

• US 6,154,311 A
• Filed: 04/20/1998
• Issued: 11/28/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 04/20/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Simtek Hardcoatings, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Simtek Hardcoatings, Inc.
• Inventors: Ferrante, Ron, Simmons, Frederick Lee Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Spyrou, Cassandra
• Assistant Examiner(s): Juba, Jr., John
• Application Number:
  US09/062,757
• Time in Patent Office: 953 Days
• Field of Search: 359/361, 359/360, 359/350, 359/359, 359/584, 359/589, 359/583, 359/582, 427/160, 427/162, 427/163.1, 428/699, 428/701
• US Class Current: 359/359
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 1/10 Optical coatings produced by application to, or surface treatment of, optical elements G02B1/08 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/208 for use with infrared or ultraviolet radiation, e.g. for separating visible light from infrared and/or ultraviolet radiation

Abstract

The invention relates to a transparent zero distortion photocatalytic dielectric combiner housing a series of hard durable thin films that reflect 98% of UV, with a plurality of dielectric layers having indices of refraction greater than 2.0 but otherwise is transmissive to light at all wavelengths. The photocatalytic dielectric combiner selectively reflects and concentrates UV from sources such as light fixtures or sunlight within a narrow range of wavelengths on the outer surface of the combiner element, promoting photocatalytic oxidation to decompose bacteria and contaminants, making surfaces the combiner is placed upon self-cleaning, self-sanitizing, and self-deodorizing. The invention is suitable for windows, counter tops, door hardware, plumbing fixtures, and the like. In addition, when a hard, thin-film, decorative, reflective layer is added to the combiner element and placed on top of a smooth hard leveling organic polymer it can provide a viable alternative to electroplated decorative finishes, with a self-sanitizing, self-cleaning, decorative coating. Preferably the film is deposited by alternating low pressure environment deposition techniques.

Claims

1. A photocatalytic dielectric combiner, comprising:

a) a substrate;

b) a plurality of dielectric layers comprised of alternating layers of a first dielectric material and a second dielectric material, each layer having a high index of refraction, deposited upon the substrate for reflecting UV within a predetermined spectrum and otherwise transmitting light wherein the index of refraction of both the first dielectric material and the second dielectric material are different from each other, and each is greater than 2.0; and

c) a photocatalytic coating of TiO₂ disposed on the dielectric layer opposite the substrate designed to induce photocatalytic reactions in the presence of UV to provide a self-cleaning, self-sanitizing, and self-deodorizing combiner surface.

2. The photocatalytic dielectric combiner as recited in claim 1, wherein the first dielectric material is selected from a group including tantalum oxide (Ta₂ O₅) and zirconium oxide (ZrO₂) and the second dielectric material is photocatalytic titanium oxide (TiO₂).

3. The photocatalytic dielectric combiner as recited in claim 1, wherein both the first dielectric material and the second dielectric material are comprised of the same material, the first dielectric material being deposited by means of reactive ion plating, the second dielectric material being deposited by evaporative coating.

4. The photocatalytic dielectric combiner as recited in claim 3, wherein both the first and second dielectric materials are photocatalytic titanium oxide (TiO₂) with indices of refraction greater than 2.0.

5. The photocatalytic dielectric combiner as recited in claim 3, further comprising:

a decorative reflective layer,

deposited upon a hard organic leveling polymer which has been placed onto a layer of the combiner by one of the methods of dip coating or spin coating

wherein the decorative reflective layer is in one of either a pure form, oxide form, nitride form or oxynitride form, and is selected from the materials including deposition chromium (Cr), silver (Ag), gold (Au), platinum (Pt), aluminum (Al), titanium (Ti), or zirconium (Zr).

6. The photocatalytic dielectric combiner as recited in claim 3, further comprising a decorative reflective layer deposited onto a layer of the combiner stack and a hard organic leveling polymer onto the decorative reflective layer by one of the methods of either dip coating or spin coating, wherein the decorative reflective layer is in one of either a pure form, oxide form, nitride form or oxynitride form, and is selected from the materials including deposition chromium (Cr), silver (Ag), gold (Au), platinum (Pt), aluminum (Al), titanium (Ti), or zirconium (Zr).

7. The photocatalytic dielectric combiner as recited in claim 1, further comprising a decorative reflective layer deposited upon a hard organic leveling polymer which has been placed onto a layer of the combiner by one of the methods of dip coating or spin coating wherein the decorative reflective layer is in one of either a pure form, oxide form, nitride form or oxynitride form, and is selected from the materials including deposition chromium (Cr), silver (Ag), gold (Au), platinum (Pt), aluminum (Al), titanium (Ti), or zirconium (Zr).

8. The photocatalytic dielectric combiner as recited in claim 1, wherein the substrate is comprised of a material selected from the group including plastics, metals, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or composites, and combinations thereof.

9. The photocatalytic dielectric combiner as recited in claim 1, wherein both the first dielectric material and the second dielectric material are comprised of the same material, the first dielectric material being deposited by means of reactive ion plating, the second dielectric material being deposited by another method.

10. The photocatalytic dielectric combiner sub stage concentrator, comprising:

a) a photocatalytic dielectric combiner having a transmissive dielectric cover transmissive to all wavelengths of light for transmitting light there-through;

b) a plurality of dielectric layers for reflecting a predetermined spectrum of light comprised of a first and a second dielectric material which are the same, reflect 98% of UV, and are transmissive to all other light and wherein the first and second dielectric materials have an index of refraction greater than 2.0 and

c) wherein the plurality of dielectric layers concentrates and reflects UV back through the surface of the transmissive dielectric cover.

11. The photocatalytic dielectric combiner as recited in claim 10, wherein the first and second dielectric materials are photocatalytic titanium oxide (TiO₂) and the material of the transmissive dielectric cover is silicon dioxide (SiO₂).

12. The photocatalytic dielectric combiner as recited in claim 10, wherein both the first dielectric material and the second dielectric material are comprised of photocatalytic titanium oxide (TiO₂), with the first material being deposited by means of reactive ion plating and the second dielectric material being deposited by means of evaporative coating.