Abstract

Porous ${\mathrm{MgF}}_2\text{–}{\mathrm{SiO}}_2$ thin films consisting of ${\mathrm{MgF}}_2$ particles connected by an amorphous ${\mathrm{SiO}}_2$ binder are prepared by a solgel process. The films have a low refractive index of 1.26, sufficient strength to withstand wiping by a cloth, and a high environmental resistance. The refractive index of the film can be controlled by changing the processing conditions. Films can be uniformly formed on curved substrates and at relatively low temperatures, such as $100\mathrm{°C}$. The low refractive index of the film, which cannot be achieved by conventional dry processes, is effective in improving the performance of antireflective coatings.

© 2008 Optical Society of America

Preparation of high-performance optical coatings with fluoride nanoparticle films made from autoclaved sols

Tsuyoshi Murata, Hitoshi Ishizawa, Izumi Motoyama, and Akira Tanaka
Appl. Opt. 45(7) 1465-1468 (2006)

Investigation of MgF₂ optical thin films with ultralow refractive indices prepared from autoclaved sols

Tsuyoshi Murata, Hitoshi Ishizawa, and Akira Tanaka
Appl. Opt. 47(13) C246-C250 (2008)

Preparation and wettability examinations of transparent SiO₂ binder-added MgF₂ nanoparticle coatings covered with fluoro-alkyl silane self-assembled monolayer

Tsuyoshi Murata, Junko Hieda, Nagahiro Saito, and Osamu Takai
Appl. Opt. 51(13) 2298-2305 (2012)

Antireflective silica thin films with super water repellence via a solgel process

Yao Xu, Wen Hao Fan, Zhi Hong Li, Dong Wu, and Yu Han Sun
Appl. Opt. 42(1) 108-112 (2003)

Solgel derived tantalum pentoxide films as ultraviolet antireflective coatings for silicon

Timothy J. Rehg, J. Alberto Ochoa-Tapia, André Knoesen, and Brian G. Higgins
Appl. Opt. 28(24) 5215-5221 (1989)