Advances in Infrared and Laser Coatings

Advances in Infrared and Laser Coatings

Infrared radiation traveling through the Earth’s atmosphere faces challenges due to atmospheric substances, resulting in atmospheric attenuation or extinction. This effect varies across different wavelengths, leading to the identification of key “atmospheric windows” in the infrared spectrum. Imaging in various infrared bands relies on distinct mechanisms, determining the spectral characteristics of thin films.

Infrared Coating Applications

• 3.7-4.8 μm Anti-reflective Coating: Designed for cryogenically cooled infrared detectors, operating in the 3.7-4.8 μm range. Materials include InAs, InSb, PbS, and PbSe, with Ge, mono crystalline silicon, ZnS, etc., as substrate materials.
• 8-12 μm Anti-reflective Coating: Tailored for cryogenically non-cooled infrared detectors used in night vision devices, infrared rangefinders, and identification equipment. Materials utilized are Germanium, mono crystalline silicon, and chalcogenide glass, among others.
• 4.26 μm Bandpass Filter: Applied in CO2 gas detection, ensuring high transmittance at 4.26μm and low transmittance elsewhere. Materials include sapphire, mono crystalline silicon, etc.
• 8-14 μm Filter: Essential for motion detection, intrusion sensors, and human imaging detection, with Germanium, monocrystalline silicon, etc., as key materials.
• 2-12 μm Filter: Designed for detectors using HgCdTe (Mercury Cadmium Telluride), covering a sensitive wavelength range from 2 to 12 micrometers (μm).
• 8-9.4 μm Bandpass Filter: Applied in specific component detection, featuring Germanium, monocrystalline silicon, etc., as essential materials.

Laser Coating Innovations

Thin films for high-power laser systems focus on spectral characteristics, resistance to laser-induced damage, and control of wavefront distortion. Metallic hafnium is employed for high-damage-threshold thin films.

• Anti-reflective Coating:
• 248 nm: Applied to KrF Excimer Laser, featuring quartz materials.1064 nm: Utilized in Nd:YAG laser systems, employing JGS1 materials.

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