Anti Reflection Coatings (AR)

Thin film coatings are extremely thin layers of materials (such as TiO2, SiO2, MgF2, gold, aluminum etc…), which can be applied to the surface of a substrate like germanium, glass, metal or plastic, to effect a change in its optical properties. Effects such as reflection, refraction, anti reflection and conductivity can be produced and modified by expert calibration of the number of layers and the respective thicknesses of the thin film coatings in relation to the incidental wavelengths of light.

Thin Film Anti Reflection Coatings (MLAR Coatings)

Reynard Corporation provides a range of anti-reflection coatings, (AR thin film coatings) which can be applied to our high quality optical components and substrates. Current capabilities support manufacture and verification of anti-reflection coatings designed for use at any combination of (polarization / angle of incidence / wavelength) from 0.3 to 13µm. A few of our anti-reflection coatings capabilties would include and are not limited to: SLAR (MgF2), BBAR / MLAR (Visible), LAR ("V" Coat), UAR (Ultra Violet), FIAR (Far IR) and others.

Loss of light through reflection can impact the performance of optical components in many important applications, and so the primary purpose of anti reflection coatings are to come as close as possible to eliminating this reflected light. (In addition, the chemical and physical properties of the substrate can sometimes be protected by anti reflection coatings).

When light passes from one medium to another (from air to a lens, for instance) some light is transmitted, but a significant amount is also reflected in the absence of any anti reflection coating to prevent that reflection. The amount of light that is reflected is just over 4% when a light beam strikes common glass at a normal angle without the presence of any anti reflection coatings. The amount of light reflection can increase based on the angle of incidence of the light being transmitted, and the refractive index of the medium to which the light is being transmitted.

In omitting anti reflection coatings, reflected light can cause glare on a display or a screen; it is likewise responsible for window-glare or windshield-glare. In imaging equipment, stray reflections of light can cause anomalous results or ghost images. In a complex system, the loss of light due to such reflection can be multiplied at each juncture of transmission, but completely avoided with anti reflection coatings.

Anti reflection coatings or AR coatings are commonly used in everything from instrument panels and displays to camera lenses, binoculars, and telescopes to help produce clearer and sharper images.

Custom Anti Reflection Coatings (AR):
Our anti reflection coatings (AR thin film coatings) can be engineered and customized for your particular application. Reynard Corporation is the leading global supplier of optical components to the aerospace, commercial and military markets. We take pride in meeting and exceeding our customers' expectations in concept, design, engineering and fabrication.

Types of Anti Reflection Coatings:

1. Single Layer Anti Reflection (SLAR): (MgF2), or Single Layer MgF2 anti reflection coatings, are often used for glare reduction, improved contrast for displays, and other applications where the very top level of anti-reflective performance is not required (SLAR is lower in cost coating).
2. Broadband / Multi-Layer Anti Reflection (BBAR / MLAR): This coating reduces reflection to less than 0.5% average from 425 nm to 675 nm per surface. Visible or broadband anti reflection coatings, are highly effective at reducing reflection within the broad visible light spectrum. These multi-layers anti reflection coatings are commonly used for reducing glare on windows and windshields and the minimization of reflection in lenses. They are also highly effective at energy conservation in low-light applications.
3.  Laser Anti Reflection (LAR): This laser anti reflection coating, also known as a laser "V" coat, can reduce reflection to less than 0.1% at any given wavelength. LAR ("V" Coat), or laser anti reflection coatings are designed for the most effective anti reflection results at a specifically defined wavelength. As such, they are ideal for applications involving lasers or other monochromatic light sources.
4. Ultraviolet Anti Reflection (UAR): This ultraviolet anti reflection coating reduces surface reflection from quartz or fused silica substrates to less than 0.3% from 0.2 to 0.3 microns. UAR coatings are designed to promote the most effective possible transmission of light in the ultraviolet wavelengths.
5.  Far Infrared Anti Reflection (FIAR): This far infrared anti reflection coating has less than 1% absolute reflection from 8 to 12 microns on an infrared substrate. It can be applied to silicon, germanium, zinc sulfide, zinc selenide and other infrared substrates. FIAR coatings are designed to prevent reflection and optimize transmission in the far-infrared bands, as for example in far-infrared imaging applications.
6. Cold Anti Reflection for Plastics: Applied at ambient temperatures, this cold AR coating can be applied to plastics, crystals, cemented doublets and other temperature-sensitive materials. The average resulting reflection is typically less than 0.75% in the Visible range at zero degrees angle of incidence. This coating design can be customized for virtually any substrate index. 

• AR Coating
• Beamplitter
• Durable Coating
• Hard Coating
• Longwave Pass
• Shortwave Pass

1. Anti Reflection Coating Process (AR): Our thin film coating facility has 21 vacuum chambers, ranging from an 18" bell jar to a 54" fully automatic box coater, all in a 4000 square foot Class 1000 clean room. Coating processes include electron beam, ion-assisted and resistance source deposition. We have the capability to coat virtually any size and shape up to and including substrates 50"in diameter. We can provide an anti reflection thin film coating to satisfy virtually any application.

Click here for pricing information on anti reflection thin film coatings, or click here to request a quote.

Reynard Corporation operates per Military Specification Mil-I-45208A.