Certain example embodiments relate to ultra-fast laser treatment of silver-inclusive (low-emissivity) low-E coatings, coated articles including such coatings, and/or associated methods. The low-E coating is formed on a substrate (e.g., borosilicate or soda lime silica glass), with the low-E coating including at least one sputter-deposited silver-based layer, and with each said silver-based layer being sandwiched between one or more dielectric layers. The low-E coating is exposed to laser pulses having a duration of no more than 10.sup.12 seconds, a wavelength of 355-500 nm, and an energy density of more than 30 kW/cm.sup.2. The exposing is performed so as to avoid increasing temperature of the low-E coating to more than 300 degrees C. while also reducing (a) grain boundaries with respect to, and vacancies in, each said silver-based layer, (b) each said silver-based layer's refractive index, and (c) emissivity of the low-E coating compared to its as-deposited form.

A material includes a transparent substrate coated with a stack of thin layers including at least one silver-based functional layer, wherein the stack includes a protective coating deposited on top of at least one portion of the functional layer, the protective coating including: a lower protective layer having a thickness of between 1 and 10 nm, a central protective layer based on carbon graphite located on top of the lower protective layer, and an upper protective layer having a thickness of between 1 and 10 nm located on top of the central protective layer.

The present invention relates to solar-control glazings intended to be fitted in buildings, but also in motor vehicles. They comprise a glass substrate carrying a transparent multilayer stack comprising an alternation of n silver-based functional layers that reflect infrared radiation and of n+1 dielectric coatings, with n1, such that each functional layer is surrounded by dielectric coating. At least one of the dielectric coatings comprises a substantially metallic solar radiation absorbing layer based on Pd, enclosed between and in contact with two dielectric oxide layers of at least one element selected from Zn, Sn, Al, In, Nb, Ti and Zr.

The disclosure relates to an improved glass product having a multifunctional coating or a durable top coat over a functional coating. The glass product may include a functional coating on that is most effective on a surface exposed to various mechanical and chemical elements. The disclosed coating provides a durable protective coating over the functional layer to provide protection over the functional layer on an exposed surface. Alternatively, the functional coating may be applied to the protective coating with a porous, nano-structured surface, which protects the functional coating applied thereto.

An insulating glass (IG) window unit including first and second glass substrates that are spaced apart from each other. At least one of the glass substrate has a triple silver low-emissivity (low-E) coating on one major side thereof, and a dielectric coating for improving angular stability on the other major side thereof.

A glass-based preform for a mirror of a heads-up display (HUD) system, including a glass-based substrate having a first major surface, a second major surface opposite to the first major surface, and a minor surface connecting the first and second major surfaces; a first chamfer at an edge of the first major surface, the first chamfer having a first end at an intersection of the first chamfer and the first major surface and having a second end at an intersection of the first chamfer and the minor surface; and a second chamfer at an edge of the second major surface, the second chamfer having a first end at an intersection of the second chamfer and the second major surface and having a second end at an intersection of the second chamfer and the minor surface. The first chamfer has a different size or shape from the second chamfer.

A low-E coating has good color stability (a low E* value) upon heat treatment (HT). Thermal stability may be improved by the provision of an as-deposited crystalline or substantially crystalline layer of or including zinc oxide, doped with at least one dopant (e.g., Sn), immediately under an infrared (IR) reflecting layer of or including silver; and/or by the provision of at least one dielectric layer of or including an oxide of zirconium. These have the effect of significantly improving the coating's thermal stability (i.e., lowering the E* value). An absorber film may be designed to adjust visible transmission and provide desirable coloration, while maintaining durability and/or thermal stability. The dielectric layer (e.g., of or including an oxide of Zr) may be sputter-deposited so as to have a monoclinic phase in order to improve thermal stability.

A low-E coating has good color stability (a low E* value) upon heat treatment (HT). The provision of an as-deposited crystalline or substantially crystalline layer of or including zinc oxide, doped with at least one dopant (e.g., Sn), immediately under an infrared (IR) reflecting layer of or including silver in a low-E coating has effect of significantly improving the coating's thermal stability (i.e., lowering the E* value). One or more such crystalline, or substantially crystalline, layers may be provided under one or more corresponding IR reflecting layers comprising silver.

A material includes a transparent substrate coated with a stack of thin layers successively including, starting from the substrate, an alternation of three silver-based functional metal layers of increasing thickness and of four dielectric coatings denoted, starting from the substrate, M1, M2, M3 and M4, wherein each dielectric coating includes at least one high-index dielectric layer, the refractive index of which is at least 2.15 and the optical thickness of which is greater than 20 nm.

A mirror includes a transparent substrate, at least one metallic reflecting layer and at least one protective paint layer on the back of the mirror. The mirror also includes an overlayer which is a barrier to corrosive elements, such as sulfides and/or chlorides, with a thickness of less than or equal to 6 m which is located on the protective layer. The process for the manufacture of such a mirror is also described.