Importance

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Abstract

A multilayer antireflective coating is applied to the outer surface of a video display panel such as a cathode ray tube (CRT) or a flat panel display in the form of successive thin layers each having a different light refractive index, where the light refractive index of each layer decreases in the direction away from the surface of the display panel and toward the outer layer of the coating. Each layer is formed from the same starting gel materials, with the degree of crosslinking of each gel layer varied to provide the desired light refractive index for reducing reflections from the display panel's outer surface over a wide spectrum. The extent of crosslinking and thus the individual layer's light refractive index is varied by controlling the aging of the gel, with longer aging providing increased crosslinking and larger molecular weight for a lower light refractive index. For example, silica gels aged over different time periods provide gels having a light refractive index ranging from 1.45 (shorter aging) to 1.18 (longer aging). An antistatic layer may be applied directly to the outer surface of the display panel before the antireflective coating is applied by adding an electrically conductive fine powder such as of tin oxide, antimony-doped tin oxide, etc. The high light refractive index of these conductive coatings, i.e., n>1.8, further improves the antireflective characteristics of the multilayer coating.

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First Claim