Dichroic glass 4126880 220777623 2008-06-21T15:06:09Z 86.151.221.233 additional references '''Dichroic glass''' is a [[glass]] containing multiple micro-layers of metal [[oxides]], with a total thickness of three to five millionths of an inch, which gives the glass [[dichroic]] optical properties. ==Development== [[NASA]] developed dichroic glass for use in satellite mirrors. Multiple ultra-thin layers of different metal oxides ([[gold]], [[silver]], [[titanium]], [[chromium]], [[aluminium]], [[zirconium]], [[magnesium]], [[silicon]]) are evaporated on to the surface of the glass in a vacuum chamber. ==What is Dichroic Glass?== Dichroic Glass is a multi-layered coating placed on glass by using a highly technical vacuum deposition process. Quartz crystal and metal oxides are vapourised with an electron beam gun in an airless vacuum chamber and the vapour then floats upward and attaches then condenses on the surface of the glass in the form of a crystal structure. The colours can have as many as 30 layers of these materials yet the thickness of the total coating is approximately 35 millionths of an inch. The coating that is created is very similar to a gemstone and by careful control in thickness, different colours are obtained. Originally created for the aerospace industry, dichroic glass is now made available to the artist community through dichroic coating manufacturers. Dichroic glass is specifically designed to be hotworked in any way but can also be used in its raw form. The main characteristic of Dichroic glass is that it has a transmitted colour and a completely different reflective colour. Furthermore, these two colours shift depending on the angle of view. With the play of light together with its vibrant colour, dichroic glass is a prime tool used to add interest to any piece of work or project. With over 45 colours of dichroic coatings available to be placed on “any” substrate (ie glass), artists have unlimited freedom of expression. [http://www.cbs-dichroic.com/faq.asp More About Dichroic Glass] ==Artistic use== The resulting plate of dichroic glass can then be [[fused glass|fused]] with other glass in multiple firings. Certain [[wavelengths]] of light will either pass through or be reflected, causing an array of colour to be visible. Due to variations in the firing process, individual results can never be exactly reproduced; each piece of fused dichroic glass is unique.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dichroicglass.net/readarticle.asp?ID=4 |title=About Dichroic Glass, My Cabochons and Jewelry |author=Linda Abbott}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |url=http://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/20020080952_2002133850.pdf |title=High Tech Art: Chameleon Glass |publisher=NASA |year=1993 |isbn=0160421004}}</ref> <ref>Dichroic Glass Resources, [http://www.dichroicglass.co.uk Dichroic Glass .co.uk]</ref> Sculpted glass elements that have been shaped by extreme heat and then fused together may also be coated with dichroic after the fact to create unique and opulent sculpted glass objects reflecting an array of colors.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://lifgyhts.com |title=Melting Blue Pearls in Heaven, Created By Richardo Angel Norte |author=Richardo Norte}}</ref> ==References== {{reflist}} [[Category:Optics]] [[Category:Glass types]] [[Category:Glass engineering and science]] [[es:Vidrio dicroico]] [[pl:Szkło dichroiczne]] {{glass-material-stub}} Coatings by Sandberg - Complete Explanations of Dichroic Glass and the Manufacturing Process & Use - [http://www.cbs-dichroic.com/FAQ.asp The Dichroic Glass Process]