Related Experiment Videos
Reflections on antireflection films
Background:
The development of antireflection films 50 years ago was based on interference of light waves. Antireflection films have broad ophthalmic applications by increasing transmittance and decreasing reflection as a function of wavelength and polarization. Design considerations of thin films are enormous, as are the rigors of successful film production.
Methods:
A computer search of optometric and ophthalmologic databases produced very few pertinent references. Discussions with optical engineers led to extensive publications in optical engineering journals and texts.
Results:
Literature search and interviews with optical engineers provided the historical development, design, and production considerations of optical antireflection coatings.
Conclusions:
Ophthalmic thin-film antireflection coatings have a long but unknown development. Many design and production parameters must be considered in producing effective, long-lived ophthalmic coatings, which do offer significant improvement in optical performance.