Optical Coating
Precision optical coating
High-end optical coatings in the spectral range from UV to near infrared for demanding optical components with reasonable delivery times and reliable service - that's optical lens coating made by asphericon. Equipped with state-of-the-art manufacturing and measuring technologies available on the market as well as an experienced team of technicians, we turn your ideas into reality. Discover our types of optical coatings.
If too much light is reflected in a laser application, throughput is reduced and laser-induced damage can result. To increase the transmission of a system and reduce reflections, optical surfaces can be refined with anti-reflective coatings. Reflection-minimizing coatings, also referred to as anti-reflection coatings, are essential for maximum transmission of optics. Depending on the desired application, we offer single layer coatings, broadband coatings and reflection-minimizing coatings specific for laser applications. It is possible to minimize the reflection to <0.1%, depending on the glass type.
Multiple Coatings (ARDD)
Dielectric coatings (also called thin-film or interference coatings) consist of thin layers of transparent dielectric materials. Optical interference between reflected or transmitted partial beams of incident light can be generated by dielectric coatings. This allows almost arbitrary adjustment of the light's transmission and reflection. Absorption-free, stress-minimized optical mirror coatings optimized for various angles of incidence with reflections greater than 99% can be produced for various wavelength ranges with dielectric coatings.
Mirrors can be specialized for single wavelengths (Single High Reflection, or SHR), two wavelengths (Double High Reflection, or DHR) and over a broad spectral range (Broadband High Reflection, or BBHR). Our high-power coatings are optimized for high-performance laser applications.
Single High Reflection (SHR)/Broadband High Reflection (BBHR)
Metallic mirrors provide a constant level of reflection across a very wide wavelength range and are highly effective at reflecting light beams. The surfaces are based on metals (e.g. Al, Ag or Au). Metallic mirrors can be protected and their reflectivity enhanced by adding dielectric coatings.
For many applications, various wavebands can be separated with filter coatings. We offer short pass and long pass filters based on dielectric coatings.
Short pass filters allow short wavelengths to pass, while long wavelengths are reflected. In contrast, long pass filters transmit the long wavelengths and reflect the short wavelengths.
Short-pass Filter (KPF)
Long-pass Filter (LPF)
Beam splitter coatings divide incoming light into a transmitted and a reflected part. Based on thermally very stable dielectric layers, we realize customer-specific desired splitting ratios, typically 50 % / 50 % (R/T) or 30 % / 70 % (R/T).
Beam Splitter (BS)
Optical coatings for UV, VIS and IR
- UV
- VIS
- IR
UV Coatings
Optics for high power (laser) applications
Ultraviolet optics and coatings have become indispensable in a wide variety of fields. They are used, for example, in semiconductor and display manufacturing, satellites or laser material processing. High-energy UV rays are enabling ever new areas of application within technology, manufacturing and research. UV resistant coatings facilitate e.g. the use of optical components in high power laser applications and protect them against strong environmental influences.
At asphericon you can obtain:
- Individual high-quality UV coatings for your optics,
- Systems, such as beam shapers for the UV range, as well as
- Stocked UV optics for high power laser applications with lowest roughness values.
VIS Coatings
Coating solutions for applications with visible light
VIS, short for visible spectrum, includes all optical applications that the human eye can perceive without the help of aids. Applications of this diverse spectrum, which ranges from 380 nm to 750 nm, can be found in everyday life, industry and optical analysis, for example. This includes laser pointers and projectors, but also spectrometers in space and microscopy that analyze large areas of light.
At asphericon you can obtain:
- High-quality VIS coatings for your optics (e.g. AR coatings, V-coatings and filter coatings)
- Customized optical systems for the VIS range, as well as
- Stocked optics with very good surface accuracies
Infrared Coatings
Further than the eye: Infrared coatings for applications up to 5.1 μm
Infrared coatings increase the number of use cases of optical elements and refine classic IR materials, such as germanium and silicon. asphericon provides a wide range of durable and robust IR coatings in the wavelength range up to 5.1 µm, which effortlessly withstand demanding environmental conditions.
Asphericon offers the following IR coatings:
- Bandpass filters and narrowband filters
- Dual- and triple-band filters
- Edge filters (long and short pass)
- Multifunctional filters
- Antireflection coatings
- Mirror coatings
Specifications optical coating
| Electron Beam Evaporation | Ion Assisted Deposition | Magnetron Sputtering | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Substrate size (Diameter) | up to 300 mm | up to 300 mm | 15 mm - 250 mm |
| Spectral range | 190 - 5100 nm | 190 - 5100 nm | 380 - 5100 nm |
| Stability | good | very good | ultra-hard |
| Residual reflection | Rabs < 0.1% (V-Coating) | Rabs < 0.1% (V-Coating) | Rabs < 0.1% (V-Coating) |
| Feature | - | usage of plasma source | sputter-up technology |
| Applications | AR | ARBB, HR | ARSBB, HR, Filter |
| Fast-Lane Service (24/48h) | optional | optional | optional |
Optical coating technologies
Depending on individual properties of the material and the requirements of the optical system, we select the appropriate coating technology for your project. For this purpose electron beam evaporation, ion beam assisted deposition or sputtering can be used.
- Electron Beam Evaporation
- Ion Assisted Deposition
- Magnetron Sputtering
- Magnetron Sputtering
Electron Beam Evaporation
Electron beam evaporation (EBE) is a process, in which optical components are coated in a vacuum chamber by evaporation of a material located at the bottom. The energy required for evaporation is generated by an electron beam. The vapor particles of the heated material propagate almost linearly in the vacuum. They condense evenly when they hit the surface of the optical substrate held at upper part of the evaporation chamber, which is located on a rotating calotte.
- Coating: dielectric mirrors, anti-reflective and metal coatings
- Substrate size: up to a diameter of 300 mm
- Spectral range: 190 – 5100 nm
- Fast-Lane coating (24/48h delivery)
Electron Beam Evaporation
Schematic process
Ion Assisted Deposition
Ion Assisted Deposition is based on the electron beam evaporation process and used for most optical coatings at asphericon. In addition, a plasma source is used in this coating process to additionally densify the resulting layer by ion bombardment. The result is an even harder, more stable layer.
- Coating: dielectric mirrors, anti-reflective coatings
- Substrate sizes: up to a diameter of 300 mm
- Spectral range: 190 - 5100 nm
- Very high coating hardness and stability
- Good thermal conductivity
- Fast-Lane coating (24/48h delivery)
Ion Assisted Deposition
Schematic process
Magnetron Sputtering
In magnetron sputtering, high-energy ions are generated in a vacuum from an AR plasma, which are directly pushed against a solid-state target. This is achieved by applying an electric field. As a result, ions and atoms are knocked out of the target and accelerated in the direction of the substrate by the electric field. The atoms and ions of the target are deposited on the top-mounted substrate ("sputter-up") and thus form a high-quality and uniform optical coating. The layer growth can be monitored spectroscopically and thus ensures high process stability and reproducibility.
- Coating: dielectric mirrors, anti-reflective coatings
- Substrate sizes: 15 mm - 250 mm
- Materials: glass, quartz, crystals
- Spectral range: UV - NIR (380 - 5100 nm)
- Very dense and uniform coatings
- Higher sputter rates, separately loadable magazine sluices
Magnetron Sputtering
Schematic process
Looking for a customized optical coating service?
asphericon GmbH
Stockholmer Str. 9
07747 Jena
phone +49 (0) 3641 3100 500
fax +49 (0) 3641 3100 501
sales[at]asphericon.com
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