Topical meeting on optical interference coatings (OIC'2001): design contest results

Computational manufacturing as a key element in the design-production chain for modern multilayer coatings

We propose a general approach that allows one to reveal factors causing production errors in the course of the deposition process controlled by broadband optical monitoring. We consider computational experiments simulating the real deposition process as a crucial point of this approach. We demonstrate application of the approach using multiple experimental deposition runs of the selected multilayer coatings.

Estimations of production yields for selection of a practical optimal optical coating design

Modern design approaches enable one to construct a series of theoretical designs with excellent spectral properties for almost all optical coating design problems. Selection of a practical optimal design among a variety of possible theoretical designs becomes a key issue. We demonstrate how preproduction estimations of expected production yields can be used for selection of a practical optimal design. The question of reliability of such estimations is also addressed.

Optical Interference Coatings Design Contest 2007: triple bandpass filter and nonpolarizing beam splitter

A triple bandpass filter (28 solutions received) and a nonpolarizing beam splitter (23 solutions received) were the subjects of the design contest held in conjunction with the 2007 Optical Interference Coatings topical meeting of the Optical Society of America. Fifteen designers participated using a wide spectrum of design approaches and optimization strategies to create the submissions. The results differ significantly, but all meet the contest requirements. Fabien Lemarchand wins both contests by submitting the thinnest (6254 nm) triple bandpass design and the widest (61.7 nm) nonpolarizing beam-splitter design. Michael Trubetskov is in second place, followed by Vladimir Pervak in both contests. The submitted designs are described and evaluated.

Optical coating design algorithm based on the equivalent layers theory

New optical coating design algorithm with the equivalent layers theory is presented. The algorithm is based on the merit-function-constrained optimization in the accessible domain of equivalent phase thicknesses and equivalent refractive indices. It allows for creation of design coatings with sophisticated narrowband spectral characteristics. (

Optical interference coatings design contest 2004

A manufacturable, broadband, broad-angle antireflection (AR) coating for the visible (13 designs submitted) and a minimum-shift immersed short-pass filter (12 designs submitted) were the subjects of the design contest held in conjunction with the 2004 Optical Interference Coatings topical meeting of the Optical Society of America. Under the specified constraints, the broadband, broad-angle AR coating could be made more than 65 nm wide. The statistical stability of manufacturing simulations is discussed. The short-pass filter could operate up to a +/- 5.5 degree angular range. The submitted designs are described and evaluated.