Methods of depositing anti-reflective coatings for additively manufactured optics
Solid Freeform Fabrication 2018: Proceedings of the 29th Annual International Solid Freeform Fabrication Symposium - An Additive Manufacturing Conference, SFF 2018
Recent advancements in the field of additive manufacturing (AM) have enabled the production of high-fidelity optical components allowing for the design of novel fiber optic systems. In order to support this emerging technology, methods of depositing anti-reflective coatings (ARCs) onto these optical components must be developed. Work has begun to identify such coating materials; develop systems capable of accurately depositing controlled, uniform layers onto given substrates; establish deposition procedures for ensuring coating validity; and establish post-processing procedures to ensure the reliability of finished components. Areas of interest for finished components include their integration into high-bandwidth fiber optic systems, enabling further miniaturization of communication components. Methods of ARC deposition will be discussed along with final component performance and the identification of key process parameters affecting product performance.