Design of optical interference coatings 1992

Abstract

The current two major non-numerical design methods, equivalent layers and polynomial synthesis, are reviewed and compared. The equivalent layer method works well when only a small number of fixed refractive indices is available. This is the case when the coating is manufactured by evaporation. Polynomial synthesis generates a priori better designs but does not allow predetermination of refractive indices. So, for evaporation, the designs have to be translated from many refractive indices to a few. This process generally downgrades the design. This translation is not necessary when spuftering or chemical vapor deposition is being used. Here, in-between refractive indices can easily be generated by mixing or flip-flopping. As a consequence, superior designs can be implemented.

Transparent Surfaces Inspired by Nature

“…For example, Thelen reported a design that for incident angles < 20°, reflectance changes were insignificant. However, above 20°, rapid changes in reflectance were observed …”

Resonant-cavity-enhanced p-i-n photodiode with a broad quantum-efficiency spectrum by use of an anomalous-dispersion mirror

“…͕E aR , E aL ͖ describe the traveling waves at the interface between the active layer and left-hand spacer S 2 , whereas ͕E aRЈ , E aLЈ ͖ represent the traveling waves at the interface between the active layer and right-hand spacer S 1 . The relationships between ͕E iR , E iL ͖, ͕E aR , E aL ͖, and ͕E aRЈ , E aLЈ ͖, ͕E oR , E oL ͖ can be obtained by the TMM 14 and expressed as…”

Contrast properties of reflective liquid crystal light valves in projection displays

“…This formulation proves convenient for analyzing the interaction of the optics with the light valve. In the present section of this paper we apply the most common sign convention in thin-film design (see for example Figures 2.1 and 2.2 of Thelen [26]), in which amplitudereflection coefficients are positive when the projections onto the reflecting interface of Elncident and kreRected are parallel and negative when antiparallel. (The same convention is used for the transmission coefficients.)…”

“…The advantage of such an assumption is that it allows us to employ the symmetries in Equations (7) and (8). Unfortunately, while Equation (19) is based on the most common sign convention in thin-film design (see, for example, Thelen [26]), the most common Jonesmatrix sign convention [22] is incompatible because it preserves as a right-handed triad the two polarization basis directions and the ray direction. To express Equation (19) in the matrix sign convention, we briefly adopt a somewhat awkward notation in order to introduce absolute phase factors that maintain the symmetry of Equation (8) independent of whether 5 equals +1 or -1.…”