Infrared 700 - 6000nm V-Coat AR

Definition:

A V-Coat AR is a effectively narrow band anti reflection coating. Its main aim is to minimise reflection and maximise transmission at a single wavelength or across a small range to improve performance or efficiency of optical components in various systems and applications. The coating gets its name from the shape of the coating curve when plotted on a reflection graph as the coating has steep sides with a low point in the middle where the lowest reflection is, examples of these graphs can be seen in our case studies below. V-Coat AR’s differ from broadband AR coatings as they cover a much smaller range than a broadband anti reflection coating but V-Coats are able to achieve a higher level of peak transmission often above 99.5%

Design and Manufacture:

We design and manufacture custom V-Coat Anti-Reflection coatings across the near and mid infrared range between 700 nanometres and 6000 nanometres to any custom specification. See Visible V-Coat page for below 700nm.

Supplying Optics:

We hold an extensive inventory of stock wafer substrates, including Glass, Sapphire, Silicon, Germanium, Fused Silica, Calcium Fluoride, and more, available in various thicknesses and ready for immediate coating. Post-coating, these substrates can be swiftly diced, or core drilled, significantly reducing lead times, often to less than two weeks. Additionally, we have a network of trusted optics suppliers, whom we regularly audit, to provide custom optics. This allows us to offer a comprehensive solution by delivering both the optics and coating as a complete package from a single supplier, simplifying your procurement process.

Coat Only Service:

We also provide an express coating service for customer-supplied optics, with lead times as short as 48 hours. If you already have the optics, we are more than happy to coat them for you. With hundreds of different-sized tooling jigs accumulated over years of manufacturing, we can often save on both tooling costs and lead times by utilising existing tooling of the same size or by making minor in-house modifications to suit your requirements.

Please contact us to discuss your specific requirements.

Case Studies

1064 nm V-Coat B270 Glass

3300 nm V-Coat Sapphire

2200 nm V-Coat Silicon

Standard V-Coat Anti Reflection Coatings Data Table
Below is a table of standard visible V-Coat anti reflection coatings we offer, if you are not able to find exactly what you are looking for we can optimise one of the coatings below to meet your specific requirement. All of the below graphs are at 0° angle of incidence but we are able to optimise the performance for any angle between 0° - 45 °. We are able to coat all of the main standard substrate materials such as Glass, Sapphire, Quartz and Calcium Flouride,if you have a more unique substrate material we will most likely still be able to coat it to the same transmission/reflection levels as detailed below by optimising the coating to the substrates refreactive index.
Wavelength Substrates Reflection Level Per Surface Transmission 2 Sides CoatedReflection Graph 2 SidesTransmission Graph 2 Sides
752 nm Glass, Sapphire, Quartz, Calcium FlourideR < 0.25 %T% > 99.5 % AverageGraph Graph
799 nmGlass, Sapphire, Quartz, Calcium FlourideR < 0.25 %T% > 99.5 % AverageGraphGraph
850 nm Glass, Sapphire, Quartz, Calcium FlourideR < 0.25 %T% > 99.5 % AverageGraphGraph
1064 nmGlass, Sapphire, Quartz, Calcium FlourideR < 0.25 %T% > 99.5 % AverageGraphGraph
1315 nmGlass, Sapphire, Quartz, Calcium FlourideR < 0.25 %T% > 99.5 % AverageGraphGraph
1550 nmGlass, Sapphire, Quartz, Calcium FlourideR < 0.25 %T% > 99.5 % AverageGraphGraph
2200 nmGlass, Sapphire, Quartz, Calcium FlourideR < 0.25 %T% > 99.5 % AverageGraphGraph
2300 nmGlass, Sapphire, Quartz, Calcium FlourideR < 0.25 %T% > 99.5 % AverageGraphGraph
2600 nmSapphire, Quartz, Calcium FlourideR < 0.25 %T% > 99.5 % AverageGraphGraph
2700 nmSapphire, Calcium FlourideR < 0.25 %T% > 99.5 % AverageGraphGraph
2900 nmSapphire, Calcium FlourideR < 0.25 %T% > 99.5 % AverageGraphGraph
2940 nmSapphire, Calcium FlourideR < 0.25 %T% > 99.5 % AverageGraphGraph
3000 nmSapphire, Calcium FlourideR < 0.25 %T% > 99.5 % AverageGraphGraph
3300 nmSapphire, Calcium FlourideR < 0.25 %T% > 99.5 % AverageGraphGraph
3600 nmSapphire, Calcium FlourideR < 0.25 %T% > 99.5 % AverageGraphGraph
3800 nmSapphire, Calcium FlourideR < 0.25 %T% > 99.5 % AverageGraphGraph
4000 nmSapphire, Calcium FlourideR < 0.25 %T% > 99.5 % AverageGraphGraph
4800 nmSapphire, Calcium FlourideR < 0.25 %T% > 99.5 % AverageGraphGraph
5000 nm Sapphire, Calcium FlourideR < 0.25 %T% > 99.5 % AverageGraphGraph
1550 nmSilicon, GermaniumR < 1 %T% > 98 % AverageGraphGraph
2200 nmSilicon, GermaniumR < 1 %T% > 98 % AverageGraphGraph
2300 nmSilicon, GermaniumR < 1 %T% > 98 % AverageGraphGraph
2600 nmSilicon, GermaniumR < 1 %T% > 98 % AverageGraphGraph
2700 nmSilicon, GermaniumR < 1 %T% > 98 % AverageGraphGraph
2900 nmSilicon, GermaniumR < 1 %T% > 98 % AverageGraphGraph
2940nmSilicon, GermaniumR < 1 %T% > 98 % AverageGraphGraph
3000 nmSilicon, GermaniumR < 1 %T% > 98 % AverageGraphGraph
3300 nmSilicon, GermaniumR < 1 %T% > 98 % AverageGraphGraph
3600 nmSilicon, GermaniumR < 1 %T% > 98 % AverageGraphGraph
3800 nmSilicon, GermaniumR < 1 %T% > 98 % AverageGraphGraph
4000 nmSilicon, GermaniumR < 1 %T% > 98 % AverageGraphGraph
4800 nmSilicon, GermaniumR < 1 %T% > 98 % AverageGraphGraph
5000 nmSilicon, GermaniumR < 1 %T% > 98 % AverageGraphGraph

Applications

Protective Lenses:

Optical systems are often sealed with protective lenses often made from glass, sapphire or silicon to protect the inner workings of the system. These lenses are often AR coated to increase the sensitivity and performance of the instrument by reducing reflection losses from the uncoated faces.

Semiconductor Manufacturing:

V-coat AR coatings are employed on lenses, mirrors, and optical sensors in semiconductor manufacturing equipment to maintain precision and accuracy in processes such as lithography and inspection.

Optical Communications:

V-coat AR coatings are essential in optical components used in telecommunications systems, fibre optic networks, and other communication technologies to reduce signal loss and improve data transmission.

Astronomy:

In telescopes and astronomical instruments, V-coat AR coatings are applied to lenses and mirrors to increase light transmission, minimise reflections, and enhance the clarity of celestial observations.

Microscopy:

In microscopy applications, V-coat AR coatings are used on lenses and mirrors to enhance contrast, increase light transmission, and improve the resolution of microscopic images.

Laser Systems:

V-coat AR coatings are used in laser systems to reduce back surface reflections, improve efficiency, and prevent damage to optical components.

Medical Devices:

V-coat AR coatings can be found on lenses and mirrors used in medical devices such as endoscopes, surgical microscopes, and diagnostic instruments to ensure clear imaging and accurate measurements.

Photography and Imaging:

V-coat AR coatings are commonly used on camera lenses, filters, and other optical components to reduce reflections and improve image quality by increasing light transmission.