Anti-Reflection Coatings
Highly efficient AR-coated glass
ARC Series
Special Properties
- Dielectric multilayer interference-optical AR coating
- Low residual reflection
- High broadband color neutral light transmission
- Effective suppression of ghosting, phantom light, or doubled laser beams
- Excellent clarity and improved contrast
- Low absorption
- High abrasion and scratch resistance
- Available in substrate thicknesses down to 0.7 mm
- Display-grade surface quality
Typical Applications
- AR coating for optical windows, lenses, and beamsplitter back sides
- High-performance sensor covers
- Anti-reflective windows for medical devices
- Coatings for laser optics
- Optical measuring instruments
- Anti-reflection coatings for automotive and aircraft cockpit instruments
- Camera protection glasses
- Robotics applications
- Anti-reflection coatings on display fronts
- AR coating for lenses
- High-end solar applications
Related coatings
- Oleophobic anti-reflection coatings
(AR coatings with an anti-fingerprint effect)
- Customized anti-reflection coatings
Our ARC broadband anti-reflection coatings effectively minimize reflections, ensuring a clear and color-neutral view. The fully dielectric, vacuum-deposited multilayer coating design allows for matching the refractive index of the substrate material to the refractive index of the ambient air, thereby minimizing the amount of reflected light and maximizing optical transmission. In comparison, uncoated glass reflects approximately 4.25% of the incident light per side. Consequently, elements within an optical system lacking an AR layer typically experience an average loss of approximately 8.5% by reflected light. Our interference optical ARC anti-reflection coating design allows reducing reflections in certain parts of the visible spectrum to less than 0.2%, marking a substantial performance improvement over single-layer anti-reflection coatings. These typically lose up to 1-2% or more per side by reflected light.
Uncoated surfaces in optical systems can lead to the appearance of ghost images. This phenomenon occurs when a second, weaker image is superimposed on top of the transmitted image, causing blurring and degradation of image quality. Our ARC anti-reflection coatings are engineered to minimize these undesirable secondary reflections, ensuring optimal sharpness, brightness, and contrast. A similar effect can occur when a laser beam is projected through an optical element without an anti-reflective coating. This results in a secondary laser beam. The ARC coatings effectively mitigate these undesirable secondary reflections, ensuring optimal performance and reliability in various applications. When used with lasers, our AR coatings improve energy transmission by transmitting nearly all of a laser beam's power instead of partially reflecting it. The layers of our double-sided ARC and single-sided ARC-1S coatings are coated on selected iron-reduced glass, which has low absorption and high surface quality. For ARC-B coatings, we use selected extra-clear BOROFLOAT®. Our capabilities extend beyond the anti-reflection coatings described on this website. We are equipped for the deposition of high-performance coatings, and we can apply them to optical lenses and other optics provided by the customer. Additionally, we offer customized anti-reflection coating layer designs for specific wavelength ranges spanning from the visible spectrum to the infrared.
How do I get a quote? Are there any standard sizes?
We quickly make and deliver optics in custom sizes. We quote, fabricate, and ship custom-sized parts with anti-reflection coating as fast as standard-sized components are typically shipped. This means that you can always order the exact sizes you need! We are experts at quickly making optics that are just the right fit for your needs. Please select an AR-coated material from the chart on this page, or click the button below to request a quote for any ARC with custom dimensions.
48-hour express manufacturing
Specifications
ARC anti-reflection coating
Typical residual reflection
Click on the curve to see more details.
Thicknesses
Please click below to get a quote:| Thickness (mm) | Tolerance | |
|---|---|---|
ARC Double-side coated |
||
| 0.70 | ±0.05 | ✔ |
| 1.10 | ±0.10 | ✔ |
| 2.00 | ±0.20 | ✔ |
| 3.00 | ±0.20 | ✔ |
| Other thicknesses are possible on demand. | ||
ARC-1S Single-side coated |
||
| 2.00 | ±0.20 | ✔ |
| Other thicknesses are possible on demand. | ||
ARC-B Double-side coated |
||
| 2.00 | ±0.20 | ✔ |
| 3.30 | ±0.20 | ✔ |
| Other thicknesses are possible on demand. | ||
| The thicknesses marked with ✔ are qualified for 48-hour express production. | ||
Substrates
- ARC and ARC-1S: Selected float glass
- ARC-B: BOROFLOAT®
- Other substrates are available upon request
Spectral Characteristics
- Rabs </= 0.6% per side at 450-650 nm for unpolarized light at i = 0°.
- Ravg < 0.5% per side at 430-660 nm (i = 0-15°) for unpolarized light.
- Other wavelength ranges or optimized coating designs for single wavelengths or other angles of incidence are available.
- Characteristics for laser applications on request
Flatness
- Depending on substrate and thickness
Surface Quality
- Min. 80-50 scratch & dig (MIL-0-13830A)
(typically better than 60-40) - Others on request
Other Specifications
- Adhesion according to MIL-C-675 C
- Abrasion resistance according to MIL-M-13508 C
Customized coatings of optical lenses
To coat our AR coatings on your lenses supplied to us, we need to know the exact specifications. This includes the refractive index and properties of the lens material, precise lens dimensions, angle of incidence, beam diameter, clear aperture, and focal length. To ensure a smooth and efficient coating process, the lenses must be clean and free from any existing layers or substances that could potentially interfere with the deposition process. Please provide information about the material of your lenses, the maximum allowable residual reflection, the relevant wavelength range, and the light source with which the lenses will be used. Please note that such custom coatings can only be applied in production quantities.
All details and specifications given are mean reference values and are not guaranteed. Please consider our "Notes on Specifications".
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Last update: April 11, 2025