Optical coating design algorithm based on the equivalent layers theory

New optical coating design algorithm with the equivalent layers theory is presented. The algorithm is based on the merit-function-constrained optimization in the accessible domain of equivalent phase thicknesses and equivalent refractive indices. It allows for creation of design coatings with sophisticated narrowband spectral characteristics. (     

Simplified design of thin-film polarizing beam splitter using embedded symmetric trilayer stack

An analytically tractable design procedure is presented for a polarizing beam splitter (PBS) that uses frustrated total internal reflection and optical tunneling by a symmetric LHL trilayer thin-film stack embedded in a high-index prism. Considerable simplification arises when the refractive index of the high-index center layer H matches the refractive index of the prism and its thickness is quarter-wave. This leads to a cube design in which zero reflection for the p polarization is achieved at a 45° angle of incidence independent of the thicknesses of the identical symmetric low-index tunnel layers L and L. Arbitrarily high reflectance for the s polarization is obtained at subwavelength thicknesses of the tunnel layers. This is illustrated by an IR Si-cube PBS that uses an embedded ZnS-Si-ZnS trilayer stack.     

1D-photonic crystals prepared from the amorphous chalcogenide films

We describe the preparation and optical properties of the 15-layer chalcogenide dielectric mirrors with the first order stop bands in near infrared range. The high refractive index Sb–Se and low refractive index Ge–S layers were deposited on silicon and glass substrates using thermal evaporation method. To centre the stop bands of the prepared chalcogenide mirrors at 1.55 μm, the layer thicknesses, d(Sb–Se) = 117 and d(Ge–S) = 183 nm, were calculated from the quarter wave stack condition. The optical reflectivity measurements revealed the total reflection from the 15-layer chalcogenide mirrors in the range of 1,400–1,600 nm for the unpolarized light with normal incidence. The effect of annealing on the optical properties of the prepared chalcogenide mirrors was studied as well. Using spectral ellipsometry, we examined the angular dependence of the multilayers reflectivity for the light with s- and p-polarization. The preparation of the dielectric mirrors for near infrared region from chalcogenide films seems to be possible exploiting good optical quality of chalcogenide films and their simple deposition.     

Design of multilayer extreme-ultraviolet mirrors for enhanced reflectivity

We show numerically that the reflectivity of multilayer extreme-UV (EUV) mirrors tuned for the 11-14-nm spectral region, for which the two-component, Mo/Be and Mo/Si multilayer systems with constant layer thickness are commonly used, can be enhanced significantly when we incorporate additional materials within the stack. The reflectivity performance of the quarter-wavelength multilayers can be enhanced further by global optimization procedures with which the layer thicknesses are varied for optimum performance. By incorporating additional materials of differing complex refractive indices-e.g., Rh, Ru, Sr, Pd, and RbCl-in various regions of the stack, we observed peak reflectivity enhancements of as much as ~5% for a single reflector compared with standard unoptimized stacks. We show that, in an EUV optical system with nine near-normal-incidence mirror surfaces, the optical throughput may be increased by a factor as great as 2. We also show that protective capping layers, in addition to protecting the mirrors from environmental attack, may serve to improve the reflectivity characteristics.     

Prediction of the thermal radiative properties of an x-ray mu-tomographied porous silica glass

A Monte Carlo ray tracing procedure is proposed to simulate thermal optical processes in heterogeneous materials. It operates within a detailed 3D image of the material, and it can therefore be used to investigate the relationship between the microstructure, the constituent optical properties, and the macroscopic radiative behavior. The program is applied to porous silica glass. A sample was first characterized by 3D x-ray tomography; then, its normal spectral emittance was calculated and compared with the experimental spectrum measured independently by high-temperature infrared emittance spectroscopy. We conclude with a discussion of the light-scattering mechanisms occurring in the sample.     

Influence of solvents on properties of solar selective coatings obtained by spray pyrolysis

Solar selective coatings for solar thermal flat-plate collectors consisting of crystalline copper oxides and amorphous nickel oxide composites were obtained by robotic spray pyrolyzed deposition. The parameters were optimized for increased spectral selectivity (S): high solar absorptance and low thermal emittance. The coatings were deposited using nickel and copper acetate, dissolved in mixed solvents with various water: ethanol ratios. The coatings’ properties were characterized in terms of crystalline composition (XRD), surface morphology (AFM, contact angle) and optical properties (solar absorptance, thermal emittance and spectral selectivity). Considering the precursor solutions composition (solvent, wetting behaviour), the growth processes were modelled for two different systems: predominant hydrophilic and predominant hydrophobic. The high selectivity values (S > 30) of the optimized composite coatings were explained based on two parallel mechanisms: intrinsic absorption and multiple reflections generated when absorbers with controlled roughness are deposited.     

Optical characterization of double layers containing epitaxial ZnSe and ZnTe films

In this paper results of the optical characterization of double layers consisting of ZnTe and ZnSe thin films prepared by molecular beam epitaxy onto GaAs single crystal substrates are presented. For this optical characterization the optical method based on combining variable angle spectroscopic ellipsometry and near-normal spectroscopic reflectometry is used in the multi-sample modification applied within the spectral region 230–850?nm. Using this method the spectral dependences of the optical constants of the upper ZnTe thin films are determined within the spectral region mentioned above. Spectral dependences of the optical constants of the lower ZnSe thin films were determined within the spectral region 450–850?nm. Boundary roughness of these double layers and overlayers is respected. RMS values of the heights of the irregularities of the boundaries and thicknesses and optical constants of the overlayers are determined by means of the combined optical method as well. The uppermost boundaries of the double layers are, moreover, analysed using atomic force microscopy because of verification of the RMS values of these boundaries obtained by the optical method. The spectral dependences of the optical constants of the upper ZnTe films and lower ZnSe films determined in this paper are compared with those presented for ZnTe single layers and ZnSe single layers in the literature.     

Quasicrystal films: numerical optimization as a solar selective absorber

Selective absorbers for solar thermal energy applications have to show high solar absorptance _s and low thermal emittance ε_h. Stability against oxidation and diffusion is indispensable, especially at high absorber temperatures. The new class of quasicrystalline materials seems to have favourable properties regarding stability. With a genetic algorithm a thin film stack based on dielectric and quasicrystal films was optimized as a selective absorber. A sandwich system dielectric/quasicrystal/dielectric on copper has highly selective properties: _s = 0.86 and ε_h (400 °C) = 0.051. Even better results can be achieved, at least in theory, by the use of a cermet. The optical constants of cermets with the quasicrystalline material as the metal were calculated with the Bruggeman theory. A system of a cermet film and an additional antireflective coating on copper shows _s = 0.92 and ε_h (400 °C) = 0.048.     

Tin oxide-black molybdenum photothermal solar energy converters

Efficient photothermal solar converters exhibit high solar absorptance and low thermal emittance. The spectral selectivity of both tin oxide (SnO₂) and black molybdenum (BlMo) has been demonstrated in the literature. Tin oxide is transparent in the visible yet becomes reflective in the infrared. Black molybdenum is absorptive in the visible while exhibiting only moderate infrared reflectance, if post-deposition annealing is avoided. Coating BlMo with SnO₂ increases absorptance due to antireflection in the visible and decreases emittance due to the higher infrared reflectance of SnO₂. Typical $\text{SnO}{}_2\text{BlMo}$ stacks exhibit an absorptance of 91 % (of the air mass 2 solar input) and a normal emittance of 13 % (of the 200 C blackbody curve). Both layers are produced under one atmosphere at temperatures as high as 500 C. Exposure of the stacks to air at 400 C for over 48 hours has resulted in no observable optical changes.     

Structural and optical properties of AlxOy/Pt/AlxOy multilayer absorber

We report on the microstructure and optical properties of Al_xO_y–Pt–Al_xO_y interference-type multilayer films, deposited by electron beam (e-beam) deposition onto corning 1737 glass, silicon (1 1 1) and copper substrates. The structural properties were investigated by Rutherford backscattering spectrometry, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy. The optical properties were extracted from specular reflection/transmission, diffuse reflectance and emissometer measurements. The stratification of the coatings consists of a semi-transparent middle Pt layer sandwiched between two layers of Al_xO_y. The top and bottom Al_xO_y layers were non-stoichiometric with no crystalline phases present. The Pt layer is in the fcc crystalline phase with a broad size distribution and spheroidal shape in and between the rims of Al_xO_y. The surface roughness of the stack was found to be comparable to the inter-particle distance. The optical calculations confirm a high solar absorptance of ∼0.94 and a low thermal emittance of ∼0.06 for the multilayer stack, which is attributed not only to the optimized nature of the multilayer interference stacks, but also to the specific surface morphology and texture of the coatings. These optical characteristics validate the spectral selectivity of the Al_xO_y–Pt–Al_xO_y interference-type multilayer stack for use in high temperature solar-thermal applications.     

Chemical vapor deposition of spectrally selective surfaces for high temperature photothermal conversion

Chemical vapor deposition was adapted to the fabrication of multilayer thin film systems of the spectral selectivity required for photothermal solar energy conversion. The systems operate on the principle of an absorber-reflector tandem, the absorption of the solar photons being accomplished by a layer of polycrystalline or amorphous silicon and the thermal emittance being reduced by a silver or molybdenum reflector. The surfaces were tested for several thousand hours at 500°C without degradation of their optical performance.     

玻璃基掩埋式光波导堆栈的制作与表征

在硅酸盐光学玻璃基片上制作了光波导堆栈, 这种光波导堆栈通过Ag⁺/Na⁺熔盐离子交换和电场辅助离子扩散技术顺次制作了两层掩埋式光波导. 对光波导堆栈的横截面显微结构进行了观察, 并对堆栈中两层波导的损耗特性进行了测试. 所获得的光波导堆栈中的上、下两层波导芯部分别位于玻璃表面以下14和35 μm处; 上层光波导芯部尺寸约为12 μm×7 μm; 下层光波导芯部尺寸约为9 μm×8 μm. 通光测试显示两层波导在1.55 μm工作波长下均为单模光波导, 且两者之间没有相互耦合. 损耗测试分析结果显示: 堆栈中两层光波导的传输损耗均约为0.12 dB/cm,与单模光纤之间的耦合损耗分别为0.78和0.73 dB. 分析表明, 这种光波导堆栈在玻璃基集成光芯片的高密度集成方面具有很好的应用前景.     

Bandpass filters for wavelength division multiplexing-modification of the spectral bandwidth

Dispersion of the phase shift upon reflection of the reflectors is used to narrow the spectral bandwidth of an all-dielectric bandpass filter for wavelength division multiplexing. The bandwidth is altered by the shifting of the order numbers of the spacer layers (of multiple half-wave optical thicknesses).     

Stability of coatings of low atomic number under irradiation

A detailed study of the structural, thermal and optical properties of selective black nickel coatings on galvanized iron was carried out. The spectral reflectances of the coatings in the visible and infrared regions were measured with an integrating sphere reflectometer. Deposition parameters were optimized to achieve high solar absorptance (α = 0.94) and low emittance (ε = 0.09 at 100°C). Temperature cycling and humidity tests established long-term durability of the coatings for solar thermal conversion applications.     

Development and Characterization of Low-Emitting Ceramics

The infrared-optical properties of ceramics are correlated with the complex index of refraction of the material and the structure of the ceramic. By changing these parameters, the infrared-optical properties can be changed over a relatively wide range. The correlation of the structural properties (like the porosity or the pore sizes) and the material properties (such as the complex index of refraction on the one hand and the infrared-optical properties such as emittance on the other) are described by a solution of the equation of radiative transfer and the Mie-theory. Within this work, low-emitting ceramics, which have significantly lower emittances than conventional ceramics, were prepared by optimizing their composition and structure. The spectral emittance of these ceramics was measured, and a total emittance dependent on temperature was calculated from the spectral emittance. As a result, one obtains ceramics which have a total emittance of 0.2 at a temperature of 1,100 K. In comparison to conventional ceramics with a typical total emittance of 0.8 at 1,100 K, the use of such low-e ceramics leads to a reduction in heat transfer of about 70% via thermal radiation. The results of our calculations were compared with experimental data to validate the theory. Paper presented at the Seventh European Conference on Thermophysical Properties, September 5–8, 2005, Bratislava, Slovak Republic.     

Disordered animal multilayer reflectors and the localization of light

Multilayer optical reflectors constructed from ‘stacks’ of alternating layers of high and low refractive index dielectric materials are present in many animals. For example, stacks of guanine crystals with cytoplasm gaps occur within the skin and scales of fish, and stacks of protein platelets with cytoplasm gaps occur within the iridophores of cephalopods. Common to all these animal multilayer reflectors are different degrees of random variation in the thicknesses of the individual layers in the stack, ranging from highly periodic structures to strongly disordered systems. However, previous discussions of the optical effects of such thickness disorder have been made without quantitative reference to the propagation of light within the reflector. Here, we demonstrate that Anderson localization provides a general theoretical framework to explain the common coherent interference and optical properties of these biological reflectors. Firstly, we illustrate how the localization length enables the spectral properties of the reflections from more weakly disordered ‘coloured’ and more strongly disordered ‘silvery’ reflectors to be explained by the same physical process. Secondly, we show how the polarization properties of reflection can be controlled within guanine–cytoplasm reflectors, with an interplay of birefringence and thickness disorder explaining the origin of broadband polarization-insensitive reflectivity.     

In‐Situ‐Charakterisierung optischer Mehrschichtsysteme in Großflächen‐ Produktionsanlagen

The paper discusses approaches to the insitu analysis of optical multi‐layer coating stacks such as mirror coatings, AR coatings or lowE layer stacks on large‐area substrates in production environments. The stable production of complex layer systems requires in‐situ analysis systems that are able to provide spectral information and optical performance data, but also yield thickness information for individual layers and thus aide the operating staff in detailed analyzing deviations from the production target stack. Solutions incorporating in‐situ optical reflectance, transmittance and ellipsometry measurements wi^th optical data being collected not only for the completed layer stack, but also at intermediate coating stages, are discussed and the accuracy, robustness and stability of different measurement systems and computation strategies are compared.     

Scalable, “Dip‐and‐Dry” Fabrication of a Wide‐Angle Plasmonic Selective Absorber for High‐Efficiency Solar–Thermal Energy Conversion

A galvanic‐displacement‐reaction‐based, room‐temperature “dip‐and‐dry” technique is demonstrated for fabricating selectively solar‐absorbing plasmonic‐nanoparticle‐coated foils (PNFs). The technique, which allows for facile tuning of the PNFs' spectral reflectance to suit different radiative and thermal environments, yields PNFs which exhibit excellent, wide‐angle solar absorptance (0.96 at 15°, to 0.97 at 35°, to 0.79 at 80°), and low hemispherical thermal emittance (0.10) without the aid of antireflection coatings. The thermal emittance is on par with those of notable selective solar absorbers (SSAs) in the literature, while the wide‐angle solar absorptance surpasses those of previously reported SSAs with comparable optical selectivities. In addition, the PNFs show promising mechanical and thermal stabilities at temperatures of up to 200 °C. Along with the performance of the PNFs, the simplicity, inexpensiveness, and environmental friendliness of the “dip‐and‐dry” technique makes it an appealing alternative to current methods for fabricating selective solar absorbers.     

Color properties of transparent and heat-reflecting MgF2-coated indium-tin-oxide films

The visual appearance of antireflection-coated transparent and heat-reflecting indium-tin-oxide (ITO) films on glass was studied by a colorimetric analysis in which the chromaticity coordinates for transmitted and reflected daylight were evaluated for various film thicknesses. A color purity of <1% in normal transmission and <10% in normal reflection could be achieved with ITO thicknesses in the 220-260- or 335-365-nm ranges and MgF2 thicknesses in the 90-105-nm range. These design criteria yield very efficient window coatings with high visual transmittance, low thermal emittance, and little or no perceived color.     

Emittance and absorptance of the national aeronautics and space administration ceramic thermal barrier coating

The normal spectral emittance of a thermal barrier coating system developed at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Lewis Research Center was measured. This emittance was transformed into the hemispherical total emittance and was correlated to the ceramic coating thickness and temperature using multiple-regression curve-fitting techniques. Equations were obtained which can easily be used by a designer to calculate the coating system hemispherical total absorptance and emittance. The system is highly reflective and therefore can significantly reduce radiation heat loads on cooled gas turbine engine components.