OPTICAL COATING Meaning and
Definition
-
Optical coating refers to a thin layer or layers of material that are applied onto an optical surface to enhance its optical properties. These coatings are commonly used to modify the reflection, transmission, and absorption characteristics of light incident on the surface. Optical coatings are applied to various optical components such as lenses, mirrors, prisms, filters, and windows in order to improve their performance and functionality.
The primary purpose of optical coatings is to control the behavior of light in order to achieve specific optical effects. They can be designed to increase light transmission by reducing reflections, improve contrast by minimizing light scattering, or enhance the spectral response by filtering out specific wavelengths. These coatings are usually composed of one or more thin films that are deposited onto the optical surface using techniques such as evaporation, sputtering, or chemical vapor deposition.
Optical coatings are carefully engineered to achieve desired optical characteristics based on the application requirements. They can be designed to have antireflection properties, where they reduce the amount of light reflected at the interface between the coating and the surrounding medium. Alternatively, they can have high reflectance, transmitting only a specific range of wavelengths while reflecting others. Other types of optical coatings include polarizing coatings, beam splitter coatings, and neutral density coatings.
Overall, optical coatings play a crucial role in improving the performance, efficiency, and durability of optical systems by modifying the behavior of light at the surface of optical components.
Etymology of OPTICAL COATING
The word "optical" is derived from the Latin word "opticus", which means "of sight" or "related to vision". It originates from the ancient Greek word "optikos", also meaning "relating to sight".
The term "coating" comes from the Old French word "cote", meaning "a layer" or "covering". This is a derivative of the Latin word "coactare", which means "to cover" or "to overlay".
Therefore, the word "optical coating" refers to a layer or covering specifically related to sight or vision. It is used to describe various thin films or coatings applied to optical components like lenses, mirrors, and filters to enhance their performance, reduce reflection, increase light transmission, or alter their properties for specific applications.
