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HIGH QUALITY
DURABLE OPTICAL COATINGS
Dense, low-absorption, low-scatter,
high-energy laser optical coatings deposited by Modulated Reactive
DC Magnetron Sputtering (MRDCMS) exhibit much improved environmental
stability and durability compared to more porous coatings produced
by conventional processes. Although developed specifically for
high-energy laser applications, these coatings are outstanding
candidates for any commercial or DOD application in the visible
to near-infrared wavelength region in which reliability, stability,
durability, and near theoretical spectral performance are important,
and are currently available from Optical Surface Technologies.
Optical coatings produced by
low-energy conventional deposition processes have several shortcomings
including relatively poor environmental durability and sensitivity
of internal stress and spectral characteristics to relative humidity.
These shortcomings, which may be attributed to porosity of the
deposited materials, reduce the reliability of optical components
and increase the difficulty of manufacture of optics with stringent
optical requirements. OST personnel have been involved for a
number of years in development of improved coating deposition
processes such as ion beam sputtering (IBS) for high-energy laser
applications. IBS produces very dense coatings, but the process
is slow and not easily scaled to the larger size (half meter
and up) optics envisioned for high-energy laser systems. The
DC magnetron sputtering process with improved magnet technology
is an attractive alternative high-energy process that provides
higher deposition rates and scalability to large-size optics.
The coatings produced by RDCMS are dense, stable, and durable
with increased hardness and repeatable refractive indices. These
coatings meet Mil-M-13508C requirements. This makes it possible
to produce films with near theoretical performance with a minimum
of test runs. Laser coatings of the very highest quality have
been produced by this process.
If you would like more information
about these coatings or any other coatings,
please contact Reed Schmell at (505) 341-0169 or reedschmellATqwestDOTnet. |
