A method of forming an optical thin film, comprises providing an assembly comprising a layer of semiconductor material deposited on a substrate, the semiconductor material comprising a compound of at least one metal and a group VI element; depositing a masking layer onto the layer of semiconductor material, the masking layer being patterned to expose one or more regions of the layer of semiconductor material; applying to the assembly a plasma of the group VI element in order to cause indiffusion of the group VI element into the semiconductor material in the exposed regions while the masking layer blocks indiffusion in unexposed regions, the indiffusion causing a reduction in carrier density in the semiconductor material; and removing the masking layer; thereby forming, from the layer of semiconductor material, an optical thin film having a variation in carrier density and corresponding variation in optical properties matching the patterning of the masking layer in a plane parallel to the substrate.

An infrared window includes a substrate composed of “KRS-5” as a raw material which is mixed crystal of thallium iodide and thallium bromide and an infrared transmissive coating that covers a surface of the substrate. A raw material for the infrared transmissive coating is parylene. A thickness of the infrared transmissive coating is set to a value at which an infrared absorptance is lower than 3%. The thickness of the infrared transmissive coating is set to a value at which the infrared absorptance is lower than 3%. The thickness of the infrared transmissive coating is set to a value within a range not smaller than 20 nanometers and smaller than 50 nanometers.

An infrared window includes a substrate composed of “KRS-5” as a raw material which is mixed crystal of thallium iodide and thallium bromide and an infrared transmissive coating that covers a surface of the substrate. A raw material for the infrared transmissive coating is parylene. A thickness of the infrared transmissive coating is set to a value at which an infrared absorptance is lower than 3%. The thickness of the infrared transmissive coating is set to a value at which the infrared absorptance is lower than 3%. The thickness of the infrared transmissive coating is set to a value within a range not smaller than 20 nanometers and smaller than 50 nanometers.

Multilayer metallo-dielectric energy control coatings are disclosed in which one or more layers are formed from a hydrogenated metal nitride dielectric, which may be hydrogenated during or after dielectric deposition. Properties of the multilayer coating may be configured by appropriately tuning the hydrogen concentration (and/or the spatial profile thereof) in one or more hydrogenated metal nitride dielectric layers. One or more metal layers of the multilayer coating may be formed on a hydrogenated nitride dielectric layer, thereby facilitating adhesion of the metal with a low percolation threshold and enabling the formation of thin metal layers that exhibit substantial transparency in the visible spectrum. Optical properties of the coating may be tuned through modulation of metal-dielectric interface roughness and dispersion of metal nanoparticles in the dielectric layer. Electrical busbars and micro-nano electrical grids may be integrated with one or more metal layers to provide functionality such as de-icing and defogging.

A fog shield for a diagnostic ophthalmic lens is disclosed. The shield has a lens mount and an air barrier. The lens mount is configured to connect to a diagnostic ophthalmic lens. The air barrier is connected to the lens mount and extends in front of the lens mount. The air barrier is located below and in front of the diagnostic ophthalmic lens when the lens mount is connected to the diagnostic ophthalmic lens.

A fog shield for a diagnostic ophthalmic lens is disclosed. The shield has a lens mount and an air barrier. The lens mount is configured to connect to a diagnostic ophthalmic lens. The air barrier is connected to the lens mount and extends in front of the lens mount. The air barrier is located below and in front of the diagnostic ophthalmic lens when the lens mount is connected to the diagnostic ophthalmic lens.

A liquid lens architecture includes a transparent substrate, a multilayer thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU)-based membrane overlying at least a portion of the transparent substrate, and a liquid layer disposed between and abutting the transparent substrate and the multilayer thermoplastic polyurethane-based membrane. The TPU-based membrane may exhibit a reversible elastic response to imposed strains of up to approximately 2% and is configured to limit the transpiration of fluid to less than approximately 10.sup.−2 g/m.sup.2/day.

A liquid lens architecture includes a transparent substrate, a multilayer thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU)-based membrane overlying at least a portion of the transparent substrate, and a liquid layer disposed between and abutting the transparent substrate and the multilayer thermoplastic polyurethane-based membrane. The TPU-based membrane may exhibit a reversible elastic response to imposed strains of up to approximately 2% and is configured to limit the transpiration of fluid to less than approximately 10.sup.−2 g/m.sup.2/day.

One or more aspects of the present disclosure provide articles of manufacture and components of articles that incorporate an optical element that imparts a structural color to the component or the article. The component comprises a thermoplastic polymeric material, and can include or be made to have a textured surface.

One or more aspects of the present disclosure provide articles of manufacture and components of articles that incorporate an optical element that imparts a structural color to the component or the article. The component comprises a thermoplastic polymeric material, and can include or be made to have a textured surface.