Thin Film Coating

ULC provides a broad range of optical coating services, ranging from anti-reflection and protected or enhanced metal mirrors consisting of 1-9 layers, to dielectric polarizers and beam splitters consisting of 60+ layers. These coatings can be applied to optics up to 23″ in diameter, having various shapes and sizes, with either plano or curved surfaces. Prior to coating, all optics are either cleaned in one of our automated ultrasonic cleaning systems or hand washed in our class 1000 cleaning and inspection room.

Our coating chambers are equipped with electronic beam guns as well as both resistive and ion sources utilized in IAD coatings. The entire deposition process is computer controlled to ensure repeatability, while the layer thickness is precisely achieved through a combination of crystal or optical monitoring. All of our coating chambers are additionally equipped with cryogenic pumps to minimize the risk of contamination.

To verify spectral performance, our spectrophotometers have various attachments enabling measuring of a witness sample in transmission and reflection with S or P linear polarized light, as well as unpolarized light. We also utilize in-house abrasion, adhesion, high/low temperature, humidity and salt fog capabilities for further testing options. Coatings can also be tested to a variety of military or ISO specifications onsite with our regularly calibrated equipment, with standards and apparatus having NIST traceability.

When our military customers need a coating that can survive an atypical or harsh environment, they come to ULC. Our home grown techniques, coupled with the latest technology and our extremely talented coating team, help us achieve and prove that our coatings are some of the best in the world. Contact us today to talk about your project.

View the reflectance curves below for a look at our standard coating offerings.

Reflectance Curves for AR Coatings
Reflectance Curves for Standard Metal Coatings @ 45 Degrees AOI
Reflectance Curves for Standard Metal Coatings @ 8 Degrees AOI