halbtransparente

Halbtransparente describes materials, surfaces, or effects that allow only part of the incident light to pass through, producing partial visibility. The term is German and combines halb- (half) with transparent; in usage it often appears as halbtransparente Materialien, Folien, or Oberflächen. In optics, semi-transparency results from a combination of partial transmission and light scattering within the material, so objects viewed through it may appear blurred or faint rather than clearly visible. The degree of translucency depends on thickness, composition, surface texture, and coatings, as well as the spectral content of the light.

Semi-transparency is distinct from full transparency, where light passes with minimal scattering, and from opacity, where transmission is negligible. Materials can be engineered to be semi-transparent to achieve privacy, diffusion of light, or aesthetic effects. Common examples include frosted or etched glass, diffusing films on windows, frosted plastics such as acrylic or polycarbonate, and textile fabrics with opaque patterns combined with transparent areas. In architecture and interior design, halbtransparente elements balance daylighting with privacy and glare control. In product design and signage, semi-transparent layers can create visual layering or backlighting effects.

Measurement of semi-transparency uses transmittance (the fraction of light passing through) and haze (the extent of diffusion). Standards such as ASTM D1003 for haze guide testing, while spectrophotometry can yield wavelength-resolved transmission.

See also: transparency, translucence, frosted glass, diffusing film, opaqueness.