When it comes to making glossy glass finishes easy to read in bright light, Corning scientists focus intently on what you can’t see.

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Class IIIB: Moderate power lasers (CW: 5-500 mW, pulsed: 10 J/cm2 or the diffuse reflection limit, whichever is lower). In general Class IIIB lasers will not be a fire hazard, nor are they generally capable of producing a hazardous diffuse reflection. Specific controls are recommended.

Miniscule structures constructed on the glass surface – so tiny that they’re visible only under a powerful microscope – are a key factor in the advanced Anti-Reflective and Anti-Glare solutions being developed for Corning® Gorilla® Glass. Each anti-glare solution has its own properties and advantages, so let’s take a look at how each solution works.

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The surface manipulation starts with a fresh piece of Gorilla Glass. Specialized chemistry and processes etch away microscopic bits of the glass. Exhaustive experiments and process controls have helped scientists consistently create tiny surface structures with the depth, width, and pitch to manipulate light to achieve the desired results.

The thin-film application has gotten Corning in the door with customers seeking anti-reflective properties on their cover glass, but scientists are now developing a more-robust version of the anti-reflective thin-film coatings that can withstand the harsh handling of mobile devices. They’re also developing a chemical etching process to achieve a more-readable device.  This chemical etching process creates the Anti-Glare solution.

Class 3B: Moderate power lasers (CW: up to 500mW, Pulsed up to 30mJ) in wavelength range of 300nm to far infrared. Direct eye exposure to Class 3B lasers is hazardous; however, diffusely scattered radiation is generally safe. Direct exposure to skin is a potential hazard.

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Accessible Emission Limits (AEL) – the maximum accessible level of laser radiation permitted within a particular laser class. Aversion Response – Blinking of the eye, or movement of the head to avoid exposure to a bright light. Continuous Wave (CW) – Continuous emission of radiation as opposed to short bursts. Controlled Area – An area where the occupancy and activity of those within is subject to control and supervision for the purpose of protection from radiation hazards. Diffuse Reflection – Change of the spatial distribution of a laser beam when it is reflected in multiple directions by a rough or matte surface. Intrabeam Viewing – Exposing the eye to all or part of a laser beam. Maximum Permissible Exposure (MPE) – The level of laser radiation to which a person may be exposed without hazardous effect or adverse biological changes in the eye or skin. Nominal Hazard Zone (NHZ) – The space within which the level of the direct, reflected, or scattered radiation during normal operation exceeds the applicable MPE. Specular Reflection – A mirror-like reflection of a laser beam.

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We have invested significantly in understanding glass surfaces at this microscopic level. That’s how our scientists have learned just how deep to make nanostructures to have the light-suppressing properties for the Anti-Reflective Solution – and how slightly larger structures result in the light-scattering properties of Anti-Glare.

Class IIIA: Intermediate power lasers (CW: 1-5 mW). Only hazardous for intra-beam viewing. Some limited controls are usually recommended.

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The Anti-Reflective solution, introduced at display industry trade shows in early 2014, begins as a thin, inorganic film on Gorilla Glass. The proprietary thin film manipulates incoming light, causing light waves to interfere and cancel each other out. The intensity and magnitude of reflected light is reduced by about 75 percent.

As a result, your eyes don’t perceive a sharp reflection of your own image on the surface. That way you can get past the distraction of your reflected image to visualize and focus on the content displayed on your device.

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Class 4: High power lasers (CW: above 500mW). Direct and diffusely scattered radiation from Class 4 lasers is hazardous to the eye. Direct exposure of Class 4 lasers are also a potential skin hazard and fire hazard.

And rather than dulling out colors like some other commercial anti-reflective coatings, Corning’s solution actually enhances color fidelity for the entire visible spectrum. It’s excellent for displays with very high resolution.

Once the glass has gone through its etching, it moves on to the ion-exchange process to develop the tough, damage-resistant properties consumers have come to expect from Gorilla Glass.

Class 2M: Low power lasers (CW: up to 1mW) in visible wavelength range (400-700nm). Class 2M lasers are not hazardous under normal operating conditions because of the aversion reaction. Class 2M lasers may be hazardous if viewed with the aid of optical instruments.

Class 1: Class 1 lasers are safe under all operating conditions. There is no risk to eyes or skin. Class 1 lasers may consist of a higher power laser housed within an enclosure.

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Class I.A.: A special designation that is based upon a 1000-second exposure and applies only to lasers that are “not intended for viewing” such as a supermarket laser scanner. The upper power limit of Class I.A. is 4.0 mW. The emission from a Class I.A. laser is defined such that the emission does not exceed the Class I limit for an emission duration of 1000 seconds.

Our innovators continue to deepen their fundamental understanding of surface engineering. Investments in advanced metrology techniques and other process controls equip the company to meet the challenge of extremely uniform production on a large scale.

Class I: cannot emit laser radiation at known hazard levels (typically continuous wave: CW 0.4 µW at visible wavelengths). Users of Class I laser products are generally exempt from radiation hazard controls during operation and maintenance (but not necessarily during service).

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Since lasers are not classified on beam access during service, most Class I industrial lasers will consist of a higher class (high power) laser enclosed in a properly interlocked and labeled protective enclosure. In some cases, the enclosure may be a room (walk-in protective housing) which requires a means to prevent operation when operators are inside the room.

Class 2: Low power lasers (CW: up to 1mW) in visible wavelength range (400-700nm). The aversion response will protect the eye from damage due to direct exposure. There is no hazard from exposure to diffuse radiation.

Lasers and laser systems are divided into four major classifications according to their potential to cause biological damage to the eye or skin. The purpose of these classifications is to warn users of the hazards associated with the laser relative to the Accessible Emission Limits (AEL). These limits are based on laser output energy or power, radiation wavelengths, exposure duration, and cross-sectional area of the laser beam at the point of interest.

NOTE: There are different logotype labeling requirements for Class IIIA lasers with a beam irradiance that does not exceed 2.5 mW/cm2 (Caution logotype) and those where the beam irradiance does exceed 2.5 mW/cm2 (Danger logotype).

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Class 3R: Moderate power lasers (CW: up to 5mW) for visible wavelengths (400 to 700nm). Up to a factor of five over maximum allowable exposure of Class 2 lasers for other wavelengths. Class 3R lasers are considered low-risk but potentially hazardous.

Class 1M: Class 1M lasers are not capable of producing hazardous exposure under normal operating conditions, but may be hazardous if viewed with the aid of optical instruments.

Class II: Low-power visible lasers that emit above Class I levels but at a radiant power not above 1 mW. The concept is that the human aversion reaction to bright light will protect a person. Only limited controls are specified.

If you’re looking at Gorilla Glass with Anti-Glare treatment, though, all the light hitting the screen is still reflecting back – you just don’t notice it. That’s because of the invisible structures on the surface of the anti-glare glass. You can’t see them – they measure only a few microns -- but they are hard at work scattering incoming light in different directions.

Class IV: High power lasers (CW: 500 mW, pulsed: 10 J/cm2 or the diffuse reflection limit) are hazardous to view under any condition (directly or diffusely scattered) and are a potential fire hazard and a skin hazard. Significant controls are required of Class IV laser facilities.

To understand Corning’s Anti-Glare solution, think of trying to take a photo or read your smartphone when outside on a sunny day. Chances are, you’re instantly annoyed by seeing your own reflection instead of the image on the screen.