Optical Coatings For Imaging And Displays

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The global market for the imaging and display industry continues to experience steady growth rates, with revenues expected to hit the $174.2 billion level by the year 2014. The years have witnessed a shift in growth within the display technology industry from the cathode ray tube (CRT) display to its successors, such as liquid crystal display (LCD) flat-panel screens, and the emerging active matrix organic light-emitting diode (AMOLED). Even with all these developments in the history of imaging and display technologies, an intrinsic and very important role has been played by optical coatings. This eBook reviews the problem-solving benefits of optical coating as display technologies grew beyond the confines of television units and evolved into the myriad of other applications. Breakthroughs in materials used for optical coating are covered, from the traditional indium tin oxide to the latest carbon nanotubes and graphene materials that would provide a more cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative. Also discussed are special optical-coating properties, including anti-reflective (AR); anti-glare (AG); electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection; scratch and abrasion resistance; infrared (IR) blockers; and antimicrobial properties. Finally, the author reveals optical and screen protection solutions for new and upcoming products and applications that herald the future of imaging and display technologies -- today.

Introduction and Methodology

Introduction
Scope
Methodology
Definitions and Abbreviations

Industry and Technology Overview

Introduction
Current Trends
- Global Markets for Optical Coatings
- Market Drivers
Industry-related Activities and Development
- Complexities of High-power Optical Coatings
- Optical Coatings for Large Area Substrates
- Optical Coatings for Flexible Display Applications
Competitive Technologies and Materials
- Thin-film Optical Coatings
- Transparent Conductive Coatings
- Magnetron Sputtering
Regional Trends and Issues

Latest Technology Trends

Materials
- Indium Tin Oxide (ITO)
- - Index Matched Indium Tin Oxide (IMITO)
- Titanium Dioxide
- Carbon Nanotubes
- Graphene
- Inherently Conductive Polymers (ICPs)
- Hydrophilic and Hydrophobic Optical Coatings
- Thin-film Polarizers
- Thin Crystal Film Polarizers
- - Cholesteric Film Polarizers
- - Anti-Glare (AG) / Anti-Reflective (AR) Coatings
- Polycarbonate
- Scratch/Abrasion/Chemical Resistant Hard Coatings
- - Abrasion-resistant Polysiloxane Coatings
- - Vacuum Hard Coatings
- IR Blocking Optical Coatings
- Antimicrobial Optical Coatings
- Dichroic/Color Filters
- Diamond-Like Carbon Coatings (DLC)
- Bandpass Filters
- Dielectric Beamsplitters
Processes
- Magnetron Sputtering
- - High-power Pulsed Magnetron Sputtering
- - Plasma-assisted Reactive Magnetron Sputter (PARMS) Deposition
- - Closed-Field Magnetron Sputtering
- Arc Evaporation
- Pulsed Laser Ablation
- Plasma Spraying
- Ion-Assisted Deposition (IAD) Evaporation
- Ion Beam Sputtering (IBS) Deposition
Equipment
- Thin-film Coating Machines
- - Thin-film Coating Machines According to Coating System Types
- - - Batch Systems
- - - Cluster Tool
- - - Factory / Freestanding Systems
- - - Laboratory Systems
- - Thin-film Coating Machines According to Technology
- - - Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD)
- - - Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD)
- - - Ion Implantation Process
- - - Rapid Thermal Processing (RTP)
- - - Vacuum Annealing
- Magnetron Sputtering Vacuum Coating Machines
- Testing Equipment
- - Scratch Testers
- - Rockwell Adhesion Testers
- - Coating Thickness Testers
- - Pin-on-disc Testers
Competitive Technologies
- Rugate Filter Technology
- Resistive Touchscreens (RTS)
- Projective Capacitive Touchscreens (PCTS)
- Display Enhancements and Protections
- - Sunlight Viewability of Flat-panel Displays
- - ESD Protection for Hazardous Locations
- - Protection from EMI and RFI
- - IR / Heat Rejection

Applications of Current and Emerging Technologies

Introduction
Active Matrix LCD
Optical Coatings for Data Displays
Custom Coatings for Avionic Displays
Custom Coatings for Automobile Displays
Optical Coatings for High Moisture Environments
Flexible Flat Panels
Heads-up Displays
Optical Coatings for Biomedical Applications
LCD Outdoor Displays
Low-E Glass for Green Buildings

Future Trends

Introduction
Direct-view Large-area 3D Display Screens
Roll-away Display Systems
- Roll-up Banners for Trade Shows / Product Displays
- Roll-away Data Displays
Odd-shaped Displays
Conformal Displays
- Car Dashboards
- 360-degree Displays
Advanced Telecommunications Devices
Colored ePaper
Multi-touch Screens
- 3D Multi-touch Capabilities
- Multi-touch beyond Computers
- The Role of Optical Coatings
Summary

List of Tables

TABLE 4.1 Coatings and substrates for enhancing medical displays

List of Figures

FIGURE 1.1 Light reflection on coated vs. uncoated glass
FIGURE 2.1 Optical coatings on display substrates in a cleanroom environment
FIGURE 2.2 Large-area display demonstrated at a trade show
FIGURE 2.3 Flexible display panel
FIGURE 2.4 Optical coatings used for multi-touch display 1
FIGURE 2.5 Diagram showing magnetron sputtering process for optical coatings
FIGURE 3.1 Diagram showing setup of a typical LCD panel
FIGURE 3.2 Carbon nanotubes viewed using an Atomic Force Microscope (AFM)
FIGURE 3.3 Display substrates and components treated with hydrophilic and hydrophobic optical coatings
FIGURE 3.4 Diagram showing structure of optical surface treated with anti-reflective properties
FIGURE 3.5 Glass substrates treated with dichroic filters
FIGURE 3.6 Diagram showing the process of magnetron sputtering
FIGURE 3.7 Pulsed laser ablation process
FIGURE 3.8 Large-scale production line for optical coatings
FIGURE 3.9 Vacuum coating machine
FIGURE 3.10 Diagram showing the process for scratch testing
FIGURE 3.11 Heads-up display in an aircraft
FIGURE 3.12 Diagram of a resistive touchscreen
FIGURE 3.13 Comparison of sunlight viewability between AR-treated and non-treated
FIGURE 4.1 Diagram showing structure of an active matrix LCD
FIGURE 4.2 Data display in an automobile
FIGURE 4.3 Potential applications of flexible displays
FIGURE 4.4 Displays used in medical applications
FIGURE 4.5 Example of an outdoor display
FIGURE 5.1 Large-area 3D display
FIGURE 5.2 Portable banner for use at tradeshows or product showcases
FIGURE 5.3 FOLED data display for military use
FIGURE 5.4 Odd-shaped displays
FIGURE 5.5 Flexible displays for different data display applications
FIGURE 5.6 Flexible displays integrated with panel shapes
FIGURE 5.7 360-degree displays can be used for marketing
FIGURE 5.8 Example of a portable, flexible display
FIGURE 5.9 Example of colored ePaper