Abstract

Mixing two optical materials greatly increases the range of properties that are available from a finite number of discrete materials. The properties of composite films are often unique and unobtainable from any single material. Composition-dependent structural, optical, and mechanical properties of co-deposited and layered infrared optical thin-film materials were investigated. The material pairs studied were Si/ZnSe, Si/AlF₃, LaF₃/ZnSe, and YF₃/ZnSe. Information will be presented on stress, optical properties, scatter and morphology, microhardness, and crystallization behavior and microstructural development upon annealing.

© 1990 Optical Society of America