Abstract

A general approach to the synthesis of optical coatings is connected with the optimization of the merit function estimating the difference between actual and target spectral characteristics [1,2]. The merit function is typically non-convex and has a great number of local minima These features make more difficult optimization of the merit function with the help of standard optimization routines. The reduction of the exact non-convex optimization problem to an approximate problem of quadratic programming allows to get out of the difficulty. The quadratic programming problem has an unique solution and can be easily solved due to its convexity. This idea was successfully applied to the design of antireflection (AR) coatings at normal light incidence [3]. In present paper it is generalised for the case of AR coatings at oblique light incidence. The quadratic programming approach provides fast algorithm for the synthesis of AR coatings in wide spectral and angle of incidence ranges.

© 1995 Optical Society of America