Optical Coatings:
Enhancing Light Control and Performance
Optical coating is a specialized process involving the application of an exceptionally thin film onto the surface of optical components. This film is meticulously engineered to either enhance the transmission of light, modify the reflective properties, or manipulate the polarization of emitted light. These coatings can range from straightforward metal sheets like aluminum to intricate dielectric coatings consisting of multiple precisely designed layers with specific thicknesses, compositions, and layer counts.
Avantier specializes in the process that involves applying thin films to optical components, enhancing light transmission, modifying reflection, or manipulating polarization. These coatings come in various types, including filter, beam splitter, high-reflective, low-reflective, and anti-reflection coatings, each serving distinct purposes. Cutting-edge technologies like IAD E-Beam, IBS, PARMS, and APS are employed in the production of these coatings. The field of optical coatings has evolved with technological advancements, finding applications in various industries.


Diverse Types of Optical Coatings
Optical coatings serve various critical purposes, each offering distinct advantages. Let’s explore some of the most prevalent types:
Filter Coatings |
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Beam Splitter Coatings |
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High-Reflective Coating |
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Low-Reflective Coating |
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Anti-reflection Coating |
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Cutting-Edge Coating Technologies
A variety of coating technologies are employed, each offering unique benefits and suitability for specific applications. Here are some widely used optical coating technologies:
- Ion-Assisted Electron-Beam (IAD E-Beam) Evaporative Deposition: In this technique, source materials are bombarded and vaporized in a vacuum chamber using an electron gun. It provides flexible coating design, employing a wide range of materials and large coating chamber sizes. While cost-effective and versatile, it may trade off some performance compared to other methods.
- Ion Beam Sputtering (IBS): IBS yields high-quality, stable optical coatings known for their repeatability. Precise control over factors like oxidation level, layer development rate, and energy input enables the production of durable coatings. However, it comes with a higher relative cost and slower growth rates compared to some other methods.
- Plasma-Assisted Reactive Magnetron Sputtering (PARMS): PARMS employs a glow discharge plasma to accelerate positive ions onto a target, resulting in tough and dense coatings. It offers a balance between optical performance and volume throughput and is suitable for fluorescent optical filters.
- Advanced Plasma Sputtering (APS): APS builds upon the principles of IAD E-Beam but incorporates more advanced automation in the process. It delivers smooth, dense, and consistent coatings and serves as an intermediate solution between IBS and IAD E-Beam evaporative deposition.
In conclusion, the field of optical coatings has witnessed remarkable growth driven by technological advancements and increasing demand across various industries, including electronics and semiconductors. Optical coatings, from eyeglasses to camera lenses, represent a versatile technology with a wide range of applications and benefits that should not be underestimated.

Material |
Specifications |
Copper |
Substrate: Fused Silica, H-K9L, etc.
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Silver |
Substrate: Fused silica, BK7
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Aluminium |
Substrate: Fused silica, BK7
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Germanium |
Substrate: Germanium, ZnSe, etc.
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MgF2 |
Substrate: Fused Silica, H-K9L, etc.
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Gold |
Substrate: Fused silica, BK7
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Chromium |
Substrate: Fused silica, BK7
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Silicon Dioxide (SiO2) |
Surface Figure: PV<λ/4
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Titanium Dioxide (TiO2) |
Surface Figure: PV<λ/4
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Fluorides |
Surface Figure: PV<λ/4
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Dielectric Coatings |
Surface Figure: PV<λ/4
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For more details about Avantier’s Optical Coatings,
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