Ion-beam based deposition of coatings for electrochromic devices

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new and desire to seek by Letters Patent is: 1.
A method of depositing coatings for electrochromic devices comprising the steps of: providing a light transmissive substrate; depositing on thermal vapor deposition a first light transmissive electrically-conductive material on said substrate; depositing of thermal vapor deposition an electrochromic material upon said first electrically-conductive material while subjecting said substrate to an ion beam; depositing by thermal vapor deposition an electron resistive-ion conductive material on said electrochromic material; depositing by thermal vapor deposition an ion resistive-electron conductive material on said electron resistive-ion conductive material; and depositing by thermal vapor deposition a second light transmissive electrically-conductive material on said ion resistive-electron conductive material to form an electrochromic device.
2.
The method of claim 1 wherein said light transmissive substrate comprises plastic or glass.
3.
The method of claim 1 wherein said first electrically-conductive material comprises indium and tin oxides.
4.
The method of claim 1 wherein said electrochromic material comprises tungsten oxide.
5.
The method of claim 1 wherein said electron resistive-ion conductive material includes lithium-niobium oxide.
6.
The method of claim 1 wherein said ion resistive-electron conductive material includes indium oxide.
7.
The method of claim 1 wherein said ion beam compresister oxygen or argon beam.




Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION "Smart-Windows" such as described in U.
S.
Pat.
No.
4,832,463 entitled "Thin Film Ion-Conducting Coating", primarily consist of thin coatings on a transparent substrate whereby the reflective and transmissive properties of the electrochromic coatings can be electrically controlled.
This Patent is incorporated herein for reference purposes and should be reviewed for its description of durable, environmentally stable materials that meet many of the automative, aircraft and military performance specifications