Abstract
Transparent heat-mirror films, which transmit solar radiation but reflect IR thermal radiation, have potentially important greenhouse applications. Oxide-type heat mirrors, capped with an antireflection coating, are studied. SiO2 and ZnO are considered as representative AR and heat-mirror materials, respectively. The results of calculations of transmittance and insulating U values of the glazing construction polyethylene/air gap/SiO2/ZnO/polyethylene are presented. The resulting structure is shown to give a visible light transmission spectrum which closely matches the plant sensitivity curve for plant growth and has higher thermal insulation compared to uncoated polyethylene. The cost effectiveness of the heat-mirror coatings for greenhouses is briefly considered.
© 1985 Optical Society of America
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