Advanced Heat-Mirror Films for Energy-Efficient Windows

Heat-mirror coatings can play a significant role as transparent insulation for architectural windows. These coatings effectively reduce the thermal emittance of glass or plastic glazings, thereby decreasing the overall radiative loss of the glazing or window assembly. Coating techniques are detailed for both doped semiconductor and dielectric/metal multilayer films. For highly doped semiconductors, Drude theory is discussed. New and innovative materials systems are also suggested.