초록 ▼

A mirror (e.g., first surface mirror) is provided with a layer of or including chromium nitride (CrNx). In certain example embodiments, the CrNx layer may be the primary reflective layer of the mirror. Surprisingly and unexpectedly, it has been found the addition of nitrogen to the chromium to form

A mirror (e.g., first surface mirror) is provided with a layer of or including chromium nitride (CrNx). In certain example embodiments, the CrNx layer may be the primary reflective layer of the mirror. Surprisingly and unexpectedly, it has been found the addition of nitrogen to the chromium to form CrNx reduces pinhole formations in the resulting layer. In certain example embodiments, the more nitrogen which is introduced into the layer, the smaller the number and/or size of pinholes in the Cr inclusive layer. In certain example embodiments, it has also been found that the addition of nitrogen to Cr may improve durability.

대표청구항 ▼

The invention claimed is: 1. A mirror comprising: a substrate supporting a coating, wherein the coating includes at least a reflective layer comprising chromium nitride, wherein the chromium nitride is represented by CrNx, where x is from 0.01 to 0.25; wherein the mirror has a visible transmission

The invention claimed is: 1. A mirror comprising: a substrate supporting a coating, wherein the coating includes at least a reflective layer comprising chromium nitride, wherein the chromium nitride is represented by CrNx, where x is from 0.01 to 0.25; wherein the mirror has a visible transmission of no greater than 5%, and wherein the mirror has a film side reflectance of at least 60%; a metallic Cr layer located over the layer comprising chromium nitride; and wherein the layer comprising chromium nitride is nitrogen graded so that a first portion thereof contains more nitrogen than a second portion thereof. 2. The mirror of claim 1, wherein the mirror has a visible transmission of no greater than 2.0%. 3. The mirror of claim 1, wherein the substrate is composed of glass, and wherein the layer comprising chromium nitride is located on and in direct contact with the substrate. 4. The mirror of claim 1, wherein a dielectric layer is provided between the substrate and the layer comprising chromium nitride. 5. The mirror of claim 1, wherein the chromium nitride is represented by CrNx, where x is from 0.01 to 0.15. 6. The mirror of claim 1, wherein the layer comprising chromium nitride is from 200 to 700 Å thick. 7. The mirror of claim 1, wherein the layer comprising chromium nitride is from 250 to 600 Å thick. 8. The mirror of claim 1, wherein the mirror is a first surface mirror. 9. The mirror of claim 1, wherein the mirror has film side reflective a* color of from-2.0 to +2.0, and film side reflective b* color of from-3.0 to +1.5. 10. The mirror of claim 1, wherein the mirror has film side reflective a* color of from-1.0 to +1.0, and film side reflective b* color of from-1.5 to +1.0. 11. The mirror of claim 1, wherein the metallic Cr layer located over the layer comprising chromium nitride is the uppermost layer of the coating and exposed to atmosphere in the final mirror product. 12. A mirror comprising: a substrate supporting a coating, wherein the coating includes at least a reflective layer comprising chromium nitride, wherein the chromium nitride is represented by CrNx, where x is from 0.01 to 0.25; wherein the mirror has a visible transmission of no greater than 5%, and wherein the mirror has a film side reflectance of at least 60%; a metallic Cr layer located over the layer comprising chromium nitride; and wherein a first portion of the layer comprising chromium nitride located closer to the substrate contains more nitrogen than does a second portion of the layer comprising chromium nitride that is located further from the substrate.