What Are Anti Reflective Coatings On Screens
Why do we see reflections?
Reflections occur when light travels through two mediums, for example air and a plastic screen. Air has a refractive index (how fast light travels) of 1, whilst the plastic screen may have a refractive index of 1.5 – the difference between the two mediums will result in a visible reflection.
An anti reflective coating on a screen is designed to reflect light sources away from the viewable element, enhancing visual display and clarity. Screens can come in all forms and different applications, some of which we will list below.
Advertising Displays – Generally found in public environments, which are often – if not always – well-lit. These can include general digital advertising screens, and also digital menu boards. Applying an anti reflective coating or film will reduce the light reflection. The same reflective issues are prominent in daylight, with UV glare being an issue.
Retail Displays – Stores rely on their frontage to pull potential customers in, luring them in with great displays of product, or digital signage. It is imperative that these displays remain reflection free, even in the brightest of sunlight.
Medical and Military Instruments and Displays – The importance of having a clear, unobstructed screen in these industries is obviously huge. By applying anti reflective coatings or films to the displays, the reflections are removed.
COVID Screens – More recently, there has been the need for a different kind of anti reflective coating on screens, and that is down to the COVID pandemic. Globally, safety screens have been adopted to decrease the transmission of the virus. We have become used to talking to someone behind a clear plastic or glass screen.
ITO Touch is a division of Diamond Coatings Inc. At Diamond Coatings we have always been proactive with our products and how they may best aid our customers. We realised pretty quickly that these COVID screens could be made better. By providing an anti reflective coating in film form, which was quickly and easily applied to these screens, we were able to heavily reduce the reflections that were previously visible on both sides of the screen.
Our superior anti reflective film provided an easier way to communicate on both sides of the screen – no glare and no reflection. It’s a small aspect in the grand scheme of things, but we hope it helped make a small difference in such troubling times.
We also used our anti reflective coatings knowledge to produce quite possibly the most effective face shield, with a transparent visor and zero reflection. Our anti reflective face shields have been used by medical institutions worldwide.
Anti Reflective Coating Options
Diamond Coatings offer a range of anti reflective coatings for screens including DIAMOND AR, which is available on polycarbonate and acrylic substrates, as well as glass.
We can apply our coatings directly onto glass or plastic and also offer a lamination service using our anti reflective film – AR1617 Film, ideal for digital displays and signage, as well as COVID safety screens. The film can also be purchased in sheet form or on a roll.
Contact us today should you require any further information on our anti reflective coatings on screens, we would love to assist you.