Introduction: OPTICAL FILTERS are used to enhance the readability of all

types of
electronic displays by controlling light
transmission, refl ection and absorption.
The fi lters can also provide protection of
the display from abrasion and damage
from impact thereby extending the life
of the display.
Both monolithic and multi-layer composites in glass
or polycarbonate or acrylic are available. The optical
laminations are manufactured by bonding together,
under carefully controlled conditions, two or more
glass or plastic materials using proprietary bonding
techniques.

OPTICAL FILTERS can incorporate:

• Anti-refl ection coatings to maximise transmission
• Anti-glare fi nishes
• Tinted or neutral density substrates/interlayers
to improve contrast
• Transparent conductive coatings for static
dissipation or electromagnetic shielding
• Micro-fi ne mesh for electromagnetic shielding
• Circular polarizers to enhance contrast
• Transparent conductive coatings or wire heating
fi lters for de-misting or de-icing
• Infrared coatings to eliminate solar gain
• Louvered fi lters for privacy viewing
• Screen printing
• Thermally tempered or chemically strengthened
glass for enhanced impact resistance.

Performance Characteristics
Spectral
Optical transmission, absorption and refl ectivity are
determined by the characteristics and colour of the
composite and coatings applied to the composite
surface. Typical transmissions curves are avaiable
on request.
.
Durability
OPTICAL FILTERS have been subjected to
environmental tests including temperature and
humidity cycling, thermal shock and vibration. No
evidence of discolouration, delamination, shock
abrasion or fungal growth has been observed.
For recommended operating and storage
temperatures please contact the Sales Department.

OPTICAL FILTERS
Surface Finishes
Surface fi nishes are used to improve the durability
of the optical substrates and to control surface
refl ections. Zytronic’s optical fi nishes include clear
hard coatings, diffuse anti-refl ection hard coatings
and anti-refl ection coatings.

Diffuse Finishes
Glass is supplied with a range of diffuse etches,
characterised by gloss level including a high
resolution etch. Typical etches are 75 to 90, 120 to
140. The gloss level is measured using a Novogloss
meter or equivalent at 60° angle of incidence.
Polycarbonate is available with a clear hard coat
anti-scratch coating or diffuse coating. The gloss
levels include 90, 60, 40 and 12 ± 10 gloss units
respectively. Extruded acrylic is supplied with a 140
gloss unit etch.
Anti-Refl ection Coatings
Glass
(i) Robust ZAR anti-refl ection coating is specifi ed
for external applications and complies with all
the rugged environmental requirements as
stipulated in BS ISO 9211-4 (1996). BS 9022-2
(1994) E tables 3 & 5 and BS 2011 (1982)
Section 4.2, 5.2 and 6.2, achieving resistance
over 200 abrasion strokes.
(ii) Standard anti-refl ection coating supplied
complies with:
• MIL-C-975A/B
• MIL-C-48497
• MIL-E-12397B and MIL-STD-810C

Polycarbonate and Acrylic

Standard anti-refl ection coatings are available on
both polycarbonate and acrylic.

Transparent Conductive Coatings

Indium tin oxide coatings, produced by vacuum
deposition, are available with resistivities ranging
from 5O to 300O. The coatings offer high light
transmission and good electromagnetic/
radio-frequency shielding and electrostatic
dissipative properties.
Circular Polarizers
A fi lter combining a linear polarizer with a quarter
wave retarding fi lter results in the exclusion of
the refl ective light from the refl ective surface. The
linear polarizer maximises the light output from the
display whilst the quarter wave retarder prevents the
refl ected light from passing back through the
polarizer.
Louvred Privacy Filters
A unique micro-louvred fi lter, where the transmitted
light in excess of a pre-determined angle of
incidence nominally 30° or 24° off axis is fully
occluded offering the user complete privacy and
contrast enhancement whilst viewing the display in
highly illuminated environments.
Infra-Red Refl ective Filters
A fi lter incorporating an IR refl ecting medium,
refl ecting more than 50% of the invisible IR, whilst
transmitting more than 70% of the visible light. The
IR refl ecting medium can be included with various
contrast enhancing substrates or interlayers.
Filter Sizes and Tolerance
A wide range of sizes are available please, contact
the Sales Department to discuss your specifi c
requirements.