The invention of dichroic glass is often attributed to NASA, but in reality it is much older: in fact, dichroic glass dates back to the fourth century , because the dating of this dates back to the Cup of Lycurgus , a glass cup from the Roman era that takes on a red color when illuminated from behind; green when it is illuminated frontally.
In this case, the dichroic effect is obtained by gold and silver nanoparticles , by virtue of a process probably not well understood or controlled by the producers, and most likely the result of an accidental contamination. Our dichroic glasses are obtained by interposing a film between two low iron glass foil : thanks to this technique, called lamination, the glass changes color depending on the angle of vision while maintaining a certain transparency.
As you can see from the samples reproduced in the photos, equal in size, thickness and type of film, the color is very different depending on the angle, and in any case, the cone supported by two of the four samples can be seen in transparency.
Here below there is a realization still inside our laboratories: it is a square glass case, in which the white frame enhances the iridescent reflections of the dichroic glass sheets. In the video, you can clearly see how the colors of the glass change according to the viewing angle , generating very pleasant effects thanks to the combination of colored reflections and maintaining transparency.
This is just one example of the multiple applications that dichroic glass lends itself to : in addition to use in retail and fashion retail, perhaps in a neutral environment, in which the design is entrusted to a clever luminous architecture, we think of furnishing accessories such as display cabinets or consoles, when you want to amaze by enhancing an object or an environment.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Dichroic glass dates back to at least the 4th century AD as seen in the Lycurgus cup. Multiple ultra-thin layers of different metals gold, silver, metal oxides, titanium, chromium, aluminium, zirconium, magnesium and silica are vaporised by an electron beam in a vacuum chamber.
The vapour then condenses on the surface of the glass in the form of a crystal structure. This is sometimes followed by a protective layer of quartz crystal. The finished glass can have as many as 30 to 50 layers of these materials yet the thickness of the total coating is approximately 30 to 35 millionths of an inch about to nm. The coating that is created is very similar to a gemstone and, by careful control of thickness, different colors are obtained.
The process requires layers, this is thinner than a human hair! We can also do custom shapes. To get pricing for special shapes, simply email us at sales twowaymirrors.
If they should arrive broken, send us a picture of the broken glass and the outside of the box, and we will send replacements right away. This glass displays 2 different colors depending what angle you are looking at, and the lighting conditions.
This is because the glass is created by stacking micro layers onto the glass, each side has different colors added to it creating the two toned effect. Yes, it can be cut like a standard mirror. Once you fuse it, it will be more difficult to cut due to the added layers. The best way to do this is to place the glass onto a white surface, like a blank sheet of printer paper.
The color that is now on the glass, is the color it will be. Yes, you can! Place your finger onto the glass, if there is a gap then that is the non-coated side. Now try the other side, there should be no gap. This side if the mirror coated side.
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