Non-reflective coating Qatar

Minimum reflection with non-reflective coating

Glass is everywhere in our daily lives. From the displays and touchscreens we use to the windows that protect us from the elements in our homes and vehicles, we look at or through glass all day long. And for those who wear glasses, it is literally the lens through which we see the world. We all know the annoyance of dealing with reflections and glare, especially in Qatar where the presence of sunlight causes most of them. But, of course, there is a coating for that. An non-reflective coating or anti glare coating minimizes nuisance light from our glass surfaces.

In this article we outline exactly how this works, and how an non-reflective coating can benefit you.

Anti glare paint vs. non- reflective coating | the who’s who of anti reflective coatings

Anti glare and non-reflective are terms which are often taken to mean the same thing, but which actually describe two different mechanisms. Though the end result may appear the same (a lack or lessening of reflection), one uses diffusion while the other reduces the difference in refractive index between air and the glass.

2. Non-reflective coatings

Also known as AR (anti reflective) coatings, non-reflective coatings are a layer designed to manipulate incoming light. When light passes through any glass or lens, a small percentage is reflected back. The strength of this reflection depends on the refractive indices of the two substances (in this case air and glass). Non-reflective coatings add a clear layer whose refractive index is different again, causing the reflected light waves to interfere and weaken in strength. Non-reflective coatings work for light from both directions, both internal and external sources of light.

1. Anti glare coatings

These coatings create a textured surface that uses diffusion to “break down” reflected light from a surface. What this means is that rather than reflecting the light directly (like, for example, with a mirror), the light is dispersed at different angles. This makes the reflection blurry and less visible, reducing its intrusion on our vision and allowing the glass to transmit more clearly. Unlike non-reflective coating,  anti glare coating only deals with external sources of light, such as sunlight or headlights or lamps.

Simply put, anti glare coatings create a non-uniform surface which disperses light and makes reflections less visible, while non-reflective coatings are a transparent layer which causes reflections to interfere and ‘cancel each other out’.

Why you should consider non-reflective coating for glasses

Untreated eyeglass lenses do not transmit light perfectly, in fact up to 8% of light is reflected by the lens. If treated with an anti glare spray, this loss would not change, the reflection would simply be less clear. Which is why glasses use a non-reflective coating, not an anti glare coating – it both prevents reflections and facilitates the transmission of light.

The addition of an non-reflective coating to glasses not only allows them to transmit more light, it also alleviates eye strain by enhancing visual acuity. For example, when driving at night glasses wearers often see a halo effect around oncoming headlights due to reflection. With an anti reflective coating, this effect is eliminated. The same effect can contribute to eye strain when working at a computer, and is also alleviated by the addition of the coating.

Anti glare spray for glasses

An non-reflective coating is applied to glasses in one of three ways:

1. spray and bake;
2. vacuum deposition;
3. embedded throughout as part of the lens.

These methods are not suitable for home application. However, there are so called anti glare sprays that you can apply on your glasses as a wipe application, also at home. Note that the quality and effect of these sprays is debatable due to the fact that anti reflective sprays are not intended to do the job of the thin film nano coating that provides the microscopically accurate coating required for glasses. Anti glare coating sprays are mostly intended for photographers trying to work with highly reflective surfaces, not glasses.

Not only for glasses – 4 other common uses of anti reflective coating

Anti glare and non-reflective coatings have overlapping effects, but some applications only work with anti reflective and others only with anti glare coatings. Some of the most common uses of these coatings are:

• 

  Non-reflecting coating eliminates reflection from for example car lights.

  Solar cells/panels – A solar cell converts the energy of sunlight into electricity. In order to ensure that the most possible sunlight is being absorbed by a solar cell, anti reflective coatings are used to reduce reflection losses. These coatings are thin film nano coatings based on silicon dioxide and titanium dioxide.

• Electronic screens – Anti glare and anti reflective coatings are used differently for screens. An anti glare coating is most commonly used for screens outside (like advertising displays), or where there is a high level of ambient light. The image may be slightly hazy, but there is no reflection, no matter the angle. Anti reflective coatings are used for glossy screens where images need to remain clear and crisp.
• Displays and windows – Displays are part of our everyday lives, from the dashboards of our cars to instrumentation windows. It is very important that such displays are not blocked by reflections, especially for equipment like medical instrumentation. Anti reflective and anti glare coating are both used for these applications. For windows that need to be reflection free, like shopfronts, gallery display cases, or architectural windows, anti reflective coatings are used.
• Optics and cameras – Non-reflective coatings were revolutionary when introduced to camera glass. They enhance the quality of photographs by increasing light transmission, enhancing contrast, and eliminating ghost images from bright lights and glare. These effects are also desired in the field of optics for lenses, windows (for electronic sensors or detectors), diffusers, and prisms.

Find non-reflective coating suppliers in Qatar

The application process for an anti reflective or anti glare coating is not as simple as applying a paint. Anti reflective coatings are multiple microscopic layers applied through vacuum deposition technology. Fortunately, there are companies in Qatar that apply these highly technical optical coatings. For more information, or if you need non-reflective coating for your project, our experts are here to help. In cooperation with our coating partners, we strive to provide the best coating solution for your coating needs. Simply contact us through e-mail, or the “Request a quote” button at the bottom of this article.