Anti-reflection glass and anti-glare glass are common types of glass in life, but there are still many gaps in details. A deep understanding of the difference between anti-reflective glass and anti-glare glass helps us to better use it in our lives. Below we discuss the basic cognition, purpose and working principle of the two kinds of glass.
What is anti-reflective glass?
Anti-reflective glass is an advanced coated glass that is the gold standard in thin film technology. The aim is to make light waves flow out of sync by destroying the energy they contain. So it has good reflection control characteristics. It can reduce the reflection of light on the glass surface. Its glass surface is coated with one or more layers of anti-reflective coating. Can improve light transmittance. Both visual clarity and image quality can be improved. In addition, the anti-reflective glass coating takes into account not only external light sources, but also internal and external light sources.
What is anti-glare glass?
Anti-glare glass is a kind of anti-glare coating by chemical etching or coating on the glass surface. It scatters reflected light and is a glass that reduces glare. Anti-glare coating is one of its glass treatments. Diffuse particles or small etchings on the glass surface are often used to achieve the desired visibility effect. You can ensure that external light sources do not affect the visibility and clarity of frame images or files. Mainly used in strong light environment to reduce harsh reflected light, can improve visual comfort. However, it is not recommended for use in dimly lit areas. Because the surface coating particles will be more obvious.
The difference between anti-reflective glass and anti-glare glass
Different purpose
Anti-reflective glass: The main purpose of anti-reflective glass is to reduce the reflection of light. Improve the transmittance of light, can improve the clearer visual effect.
Anti-glare glass: The main purpose of anti-glare glass is to reduce the glare of reflected light. Reduce glare and improve visual comfort. Especially suitable for use in direct light.
Different principle
The working principle of anti-reflective glass is based on the interference effect of light and refractive index matching:
Interference effect: When light passes through the anti-reflective coating on the glass surface, part of the light wave is reflected at the interface between the coating and the air. The other part of the light wave continues to travel and reflect at the interface between the coating and the glass. By precisely controlling the coating thickness, the phase difference between the two reflected light waves is half a wavelength. Thus cancelling each other out, reducing the intensity of the reflected light. Improved light transmittance.
Refractive index matching: By coating the glass surface with multiple layers of thin films with gradually varying refractive index. So that the incident light gradually transition between different interfaces. Reduce interface reflection and increase light transmittance.
The working principle of anti-glare glass is mainly based on the scattering effect of light:
Surface concave-convex structure: small concave-convex structure is formed on the glass surface by chemical etching or mechanical processing. These structures diffuse the incoming light across the surface. Reduce the intensity of direct reflected light, thereby reducing glare. Improve visual effects.
Anti-glare coating: An anti-glare coating is applied to the glass surface so that light scatters through the coating. Further reduce glare. Coating materials usually have specific optical properties that scatter light efficiently.
