Abstract

Thin film optical components on glass substrates, though designed for application in high quality optical instruments such as microscopes, binoculars, and cameras, have been found to reveal pronounced degradation effects as a result of surface corrosion on the classes. Starting with substrate roughness and defects due to the polishing process, subsequent cleaning procedures and storage of the samples under normal environmental conditions (in particular exposure to humidity) cause further development of the existing as well as the emergence of new morphological defects on the glass surfaces. After covering the substrates with optical coatings, the corrosion process is ongoing, and it is often only after a certain time of exposure to the environment that these effects become actually obvious. This, of course, gives rise to severe shortcomings regarding the overall quality of the final optical component.

© 1995 Optical Society of America