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angle dependent reflective window

 window that reflects summer sunlight but transmits winter sunlight
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Windows can be coated with an absorptive or reflective film to reduce the amount of light transmitted into a house/office. This is great for keeping your house cool in summer, but will also keep your house cold in winter.

What is needed is a window that reflects summer sunlight and transmits winter sunlight.

My solution is to make windows of relatively high refractive index glass and coat the outside with an anti-reflective layer. Light entering from high/shallow angles (summer sunlight) will travel through the anti-reflective coating and then be reflected (by 'total internal reflection') from the inside face of the window. Light entering from a low angle (winter sunlight) will go straight through without reflection.

—xaviergisz, Nov 15 2012

illustration https://docs.google...nU-FLVA3V2RHcEVFd2M
[xaviergisz, Nov 15 2012]

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       ...or you could just close the shutters.
—DrCurry, Nov 15 2012
   

       that would work.
—sqeaketh the wheel, Nov 15 2012
   

       Could work, seems to be very dependent of latitude.
—piluso, Nov 15 2012
   


 

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