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Thin film optical coatings are microscopically thin coatings applied to optical surface substrate materials such as plastic, glass, infrared material, and metal. They reflect wavelengths of light to generate various optical responses, including anti-reflection, polarizing filtering, band-pass filtering, electrical conductivity, abrasion resistance, and beam splitting. These coatings are used in a wide variety of industries, from scientific research and telecommunications to semiconductors and aerospace. The most common types are anti-reflection and high-reflection coatings, and they can be optimized for specific wavelengths, angles, and polarizations.
The application of thin film optical coatings helps extend the capabilities of the optics. These microscopically thin coatings reflect wavelengths of light to generate various optical responses. Transmissive properties can include anti-reflection, polarizing filtering, band-pass filtering, electrical conductivity, abrasion resistance, and beam splitting, among a number of other specific applications of the technology. These coatings are applied to optical surface substrate materials such as plastic, glass, infrared material, and metal.
Thin-film optical coatings are used in a wide variety of industries, from scientific research and telecommunications to semiconductors and aerospace. The applications are numerous. These coatings can appear in processes from making anti-reflection windshields on airplanes to improving laser communications and telescope reflectors.
Coatings are sometimes applied to their substrates in a vacuum using electric-beam evaporation or resistive heat, ion-assisted vacuum deposition, or physics. Some methods are better suited to the expected performance of the film, which includes density, toughness or adhesive qualities, depending on specific requirements. Techniques related to evaporation, thickness, ion sourcing and automated technologies can help in their production.
Anti-reflection and high-reflection varieties are the most common types of thin-film optical coatings. Uncoated surfaces such as glass sometimes exhibit unwanted ghosting and reflections, which hinders their performance. Anti-reflection coatings, such as beam splitters, can be optimized for the respective technology or placement, for example for predetermined wavelengths or broadband ranges. In addition, the usable light can increase proportionally to the decrease in reflections.
Mirror Coatings cover optics from barcode scanner and computer mirrors to copiers and fax machines. These are sometimes characterized as “hot” and “cold” mirrors, which are multilayer dielectric coatings that split infrared heat from visible radiation or light. This allows for control of the proportions of heat or light radiated by a reflector. Dielectric coatings also work in high and low voltage applications, in the ranges from direct current (DC) to radio frequency (RF). Usually made from oxide ceramics or polymers, these types can be found in medical equipment such as high-temperature meters and electrosurgical instruments.
Anti-reflection coatings serve military technologies. Conductive coatings can function as anti-static or implosion shields. Plasma coatings perform functions such as hardfacing, anodizing, bonding or electroplating, in the paper, rubber and petrochemical industries.
In wavelength specification, attenuating thin-film optical coatings can perform other density changes for linear, circular, and radial functions. Dichroic and trichroic films separate two or three colors, respectively, such as for lighting or entertainment effects. Light can be separated into visible, infrared or ultraviolet spectra. These coatings can be optimized not only for wavelength, but also for technically specified angles and polarizations. Technology allows the application of these coatings and many others on countless surfaces. Thin-film optical coatings help in many areas beyond optics, promising new solutions to technical challenges and innovations.
