Abstract

A hybrid metal mesh-dielectrically coated mirror, highly reflecting in the near ir and partially transmitting in the far ir, for use in optically pumped molecular lasers, is described. Ge and CaF₂ were used for the dielectric films, along with Ni meshes deposited on Si substrates. The dielectric dispersion properties of the CaF₂ thin films were studied in the 2–15-μm range to provide design data. With a four layer dielectric coating and a metal mesh, the specular reflection of the mirror could be maintained greater than 90% over a 2-μm range in the near ir, and by choice of mesh, the transmittance in the 400–600-μm range varied from 0% to greater than 40%.

© 1976 Optical Society of America

Far-IR optical properties of freestanding and dielectrically backed metal meshes

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Variable Metal Mesh Coupler for Far Infrared Lasers

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