Fabrication Methods for Anti-Reflection Surface on Transparent Materials

Case ID:
07-859

Development of a fabrication method that uses optical nanostructures as artificial materials that match refractive indices of a wide range of transparent substrates. The resulting surface is optically transparent and exhibits qualities required to see images and text clearly on an electronic display screen in a wide variety of light conditions.

Electronic display screens are difficult to see when light reflects off their surface. Glare caused from reflected light reduces the quality of displayed text and images on screens made of glass or plastic. Currently anti-reflection (AR) screens are made by using a MgF2 coating that reduces reflected light by lowering the refractive index of the surface of the display screen to a refractive index closer to that of air.

This process is known as index matching. This coating process has several drawbacks including:
 - There are very few transparent substrates that produce an AR surface with this coating limiting a manufacturer’s ability to optimize substrate selection for cost or durability
 - Adhesion issues often arise between the substrate and coating restricting substrate selection to even fewer candidates
- Coating material (MgF2) cost and deposition processing cost time and complexity.

Wayne State University researchers have developed a fabrication method that uses optical nanostructures as artificial materials that match refractive indices of a wide range of transparent substrates. The resulting surface is optically transparent and exhibits qualities required to see images and text clearly on an electronic display screen in a wide variety of light conditions.

Commercial Applications

• Electronics including display screens for TVs, computer monitors, cell phones and optical sensors

• Military, industrial and medical applications

• Solar panels

Competitive Advantages

• Produces excellent reflection of light across a wide range of transparent substrates

• Reduces fabrication cost due to a faster simpler process

• Eliminates adhesion issues

Patent Status

Patent published

Patent Information:
For Information, Contact:
Nic Wetzler
Wayne State University
nic.wetzler@wayne.edu
Inventors:
Yang Zhao
Jinsong Wang
Keywords:
Anti-reflection
Nanomaterials