Optical Filter Source specializes in PVD thin-film coatings and optical components. We can coat customer-furnished optics and windows (CFM), provide turnkey, or build to print services. Our optical fabrication capabilities range from commercial to precision optical components. We support our customers (including universities) from R&D to volume production.
Anti-Reflective Coatings
Anti-Reflective coatings (AR coatings) increase the light throughput of an optic by decreasing the light reflected from an optical surface. This type of coating is critical in optical systems to increase the transmission and contrast of the image while reducing stray light and ghost images.
Most AR coatings are durable, cleanable, and resistant to environmental and physical damage. These coatings will meet the durability requirements in MIL-C-675C or MIL-PRF-13830B.
Optical Filter Source can provide AR coatings to service the UV - MWIR wavelengths with special emphasis on the visible, NIR, and SWIR wavelength ranges.
Applications: LIDAR, Cameras, Laser Systems, Scopes, Various Windows, Optical Setups, Glare Reducing Windows
High Reflector
High reflector coatings can be used to efficiently move light through a system while keeping the optical layout contained to a manageable size. High reflectors come in three types: An all metal coating or first surface mirror; an all dielectric stack; and a hybrid coating with both metal and dielectric layers.
Applications: LIDAR, Cameras, Laser Systems, Optical Setups, Laser Cavity Mirrors
Gain Flattening and Spectral Matching Filters
These are both custom shaped filters. These are usually specified to OFS with either a desired spectrum for the coating, or a desired output for the system. An example might be attempting to match the output spectrum from the sun with a light bulb while considering the quantum efficiency of the camera in the system. The key to these coatings is careful communication and ensuring that the design work makes sense before moving forward.
Applications: Spectral Conversion, Spectral Flattening, Optical Setups
ITO
OFS specializes in Transparent Conductive Oxides (TCOs) and especially Indium Tin Oxide (ITO). We have thousands of hours of run time on ITO and a robust data set to match it. We have coated static dissipative coatings, EMI coatings, solderable heater windows, patterned transparent circuits, index matched ITO and more. We have experience putting ITO on a variety of substrates as well including glass, metal, filter glass, and sapphire. In combination with our solderable gold OFS can create fully solderable heater windows or hermetically sealable windows with a gold annulus on the exterior rim.
Applications: EMI/RFI Window, Biomedical, Displays, Camera Heater Window, Optical Setups
Neutral Density Coatings
Neutral density filters use a special metal blend that is spectrally neutral across a broad band. This in turn creates spectrally flat coatings with a specified amount of transmittance. This can range from an optical density of 0.04 to 4. In general OFS specifies a target wavelength and a target transmittance.
Applications: Signal Reduction, Optical Setups, Laser Safety
Durable Scatter Coating
An OFS exclusive coating, the Durable Scatter Coating (DSC) is a cleanable, patternable, diffuse white coating. This can be used to diffusely reflect any light incident on it, and it is particularly useful for targets and reticles.
Applications: Recitals, Targets
Solderable Gold
Due in most part to the success of our ITO, OFS has an excellent solderable gold coating. OFS has a few unique steps to ensure adhesion, and the result is a solderable gold coating which has extremely good adhesion and conductivity.
Applications: Buss Bars, Bonding