Surfaces having structured optical appearances
Surfaces having structured optical appearances are disclosed. The surface can include substrate, a first optical coating disposed on the substrate having a first refractive index; and a second optical coating disposed on the first optical coating having a second refractive index. The first refractive index is different than the second refractive index. Other surfaces can include a substrate having a visible surface, wherein the visible surface comprises a plurality of structural features, wherein each of the structural features is configured to transmit a light wave that optically interacts with waves of light of other structural features to create a visual appearance. Still other surfaces can include a substrate and an optical coating disposed on the substrate. The optical coating comprising particles in an ordered array within a matrix, wherein the matrix has a first refractive index and the particles have a second refractive index.
1. A surface having a structured optical appearance comprising:
a substrate; and
an optical coating disposed on the substrate, the optical coating comprising:
repeating first portions including particles in an ordered array within a matrix, the repeating first portions arranged in a first ordered pattern; and
repeating second portions disposed between the first portions and arranged in a second ordered pattern, the repeating second portions each including particles in a disordered arrangement within the matrix, the matrix having a first refractive index and the particles having a second refractive index;
the particles in the ordered array configured to selectively reflect a wavelength or a range of wavelengths of incident light waves that optically interfere with one another.
2. The surface of claim 1 , wherein the ordered array is a face centered cubic packing arrangement.
3. The surface of claim 1 , wherein the ordered array is a hexagonal closed packing arrangement.
4. The surface of claim 1 , wherein the particles comprise a material selected from a ceramic and a polymer.
5. The surface of claim 1 , wherein the particles in the ordered array are arranged in a three dimensionally ordered array.
6. The surface of claim 1 , wherein each of the particles is a void.