chapter 7, Coating Technologies

Excerpt

7.1 Introduction

Optical coatings are usually multilayer film structures used to obtain desired transmission, reflection, and absorption from surfaces. The characteristics may be due to the intrinsic property of the material (e.g., metal reflectors) or due to interference effects. Today, optical thin films are involved in numerous optical systems, where they are key to ultimate system performance. For most applications, high accuracy is required for both the optical and nonoptical properties, including low-loss energy balance, mechanical and thermal behavior, damage threshold, and nonlinear properties. Great progress has been made in almost all aspects. However, there are still problems and barriers to progress that need to be overcome. Identification and possible solutions to these problems represent an important aspect of research and development.

7.2 Market and Business

7.2.1 Global market for optical coatings

In the “Future for Optical Coatings,” BCC, published February 2003 [1], the market for optical coatings has been investigated. In telecommunications, multilayer thin-film stacks have made increased bandwidth available for fiber-optic communications. The telecommunications segment in 2003 represents the fastest-growing segment of the coatings market and is an active area with many new entrants.

In the transportation segment of the market, coatings are used on windows, panels, and mirrors. Margins in all auto-supplier markets are limited; therefore, vehicle makers strive to minimize part costs. The electronics and instrumentation segment of the market includes many of the standard coatings applications, including camera lenses, computer and television screens, flat panel displays, and laser optics. Segment revenues represent the largest percentage of the total.