Slight but Light

The actual "instrument" responsible for the heat recovery is a structure of layer upon alternating layer of silicon oxide (SiO2) and titanium dioxide (TiO2). These layers are each only a few billionths of a metre thick. The special construction of the layer structure of this type composed alternately of regions with high (TiO2) and low (SiO2) refractive indices ensures that the "filter function" works properly: visible light passes through the glass wall of the bulb envelope unimpeded while the infrared light is reflected.

Durable coatings with complicated layer structures of this type can be applied by Auer Lighting´s PICVD process, a combination of CVD and microwave plasma. This special process guarantees the hard layer structure a 4000 hour service life during which it has to withstand temperatures of up to 800 degrees Celcius. The layer structure meets the high requirements placed on it: it does not flake off, the emitted light maintains the color required and the characteristic blue-white of the lighting element does not break down into the colors of the rainbow.