NASA developed dichroic glasses to be used in satellite mirrors. Dichroic glass is a result of the many thin layers of metal oxides. This gives it amazing dichroic optical qualities. These layers are only five-millionths inches thick when they are combined. This remarkable property is what makes dichroic glasses so popular today.
The different metal oxides used in the production of this type of glass can range from chromium and aluminum to silver and gold. Glass obtains its unique properties when various metal oxides are vaporized on the surface of the glass inside a vacuum chamber. A firing process is then carried out to combine the red dichroic glass with another glass.
Because the firing process is different, no two pieces of dichroic glass can be the same. Each time it is produced, it will be unique and when different wavelengths of light are exposed to the glass, it will either pass through the glass or be reflected resulting in an array of colors. This type of glass is used in several applications and even today it is used by manufacturers of jewelry-making supplies to make beads.
Dichroic glass beads are two-colored beads with multiple colors in them. If you take a look at these glass beads, you will notice two or more colors at the same time. These can be in any color range and when you flip the glass beads a little, the colors will change. These glass beads are very beautiful and very popular in jewelry making.