Antireflection Coating Achromats
Last Updated: April 1, 2025
Description
Antireflection Coating Achromats are optical components designed to minimize reflection and maximize the transmission of light through optical surfaces. These coatings are applied to achromatic lenses, which are used to correct chromatic aberrations by bringing two wavelengths into focus in the same plane. The primary function of these coatings is to reduce glare and stray reflections, thereby enhancing the clarity and quality of the transmitted light.
Working Principle
Antireflection coatings work by depositing a thin-film material at the interface of the optical component to suppress glare and stray reflections. The effectiveness of these coatings is determined by the type and thickness of the material, which is chosen based on the refractive indices of the mediums involved. By using dielectric materials such as magnesium fluoride or metal oxides, and ensuring the coating is exactly one-quarter of the light wavelength, it is possible to achieve destructive interference of light waves. This results in a significant reduction in reflectivity, potentially as low as 0.1%, thereby enhancing the transmission of light through the optical component.
Applications
Antireflection Coating Achromats are used in a variety of applications where high-quality optical performance is required. Specific examples include their use in camera lenses to reduce glare and improve image clarity, in corrective lenses to minimize reflections and enhance vision, and in solar cells to increase the efficiency of light absorption. They are also crucial in laser systems to prevent back reflections that can destabilize the system and in low-light optical systems to maximize light throughput.
Advantages over other Achromats
Antireflection Coating Achromats offer significant advantages over standard achromats by providing enhanced light transmission and reduced reflectivity. This results in improved optical performance, particularly in systems with multiple transmitting elements where minimizing light loss is critical. The coatings also help in reducing ghost images and improving the overall clarity and quality of the optical system.
Limitations
One of the primary limitations of antireflection coatings is their susceptibility to scratches and abrasions, which can occur due to everyday wear and tear. These coatings can also be prone to smudging and fingerprint marks, which can degrade their performance by affecting visibility and clarity. Additionally, the effectiveness of the coating can be limited to specific wavelengths, requiring careful selection and design for broadband applications.
Considerations
When considering the use of Antireflection Coating Achromats, several factors should be taken into account. Initial costs can be higher due to the complexity of the coating process and the materials used. Operating expenses may include maintenance to ensure the coatings remain free of scratches and smudges. Durability is a concern, as the coatings can be delicate and require careful handling. Accuracy in the application of the coatings is crucial to achieve the desired optical performance. Replacement and maintenance costs should also be considered, as damaged coatings may need to be reapplied or replaced to maintain optimal performance.
from Newport MKS
The PAC019 Visible Achromatic Doublet Lens is a 400 to 700 nm antireflection coated, 1/2 inch (12.7 mm) diameter, N-BaF10 and N-SF14 precision achromatic doublet lens with an effective focal length of 19.0 mm. This achromat is computer designed to effectively minimize spherical aberration and coma... [See More]
- Achromat Type: Doublet
- Center Thickness: 6.85
- Focal Length: 15.1
- Edge Thickness: 4.9
from Suzhou Jiujon Optics Co., Ltd
Achromatic lenses are types of lenses that are designed to minimize chromatic aberration, which is a common optical problem that causes colors to appear differently when passing through a lens. These lenses use a combination of two or more optical materials with different refractive indices to focus... [See More]
- Surface Quality: 40-20 Scratch / Dig
- Lens Features: Antireflection Coating
from CeNing Optics Co., Ltd.
Achromatic lenses are lenses consisting of two or more elements, which are usually made of crown and flint glass with differing indices of refraction. One element is positive, the other is negative. Distinct wavelengths can be corrected for chromatic aberration. Achromatic lenses are nearly free... [See More]
- Achromat Type: Doublet
- Focal Length: 10 to 140
- Lens Application: Infrared; Visible
- Center Thickness: 2.9 to 9.8
from Newport MKS
The PAC052 Visible Achromatic Doublet Lens is a 400 to 700 nm antireflection coated, 1 inch (25.4 mm) diameter, N-BK7 and N-SF5 precision achromatic doublet lens with an effective focal length of 100 mm. This achromat is computer designed to effectively minimize spherical aberration and coma when... [See More]
- Achromat Type: Doublet
- Center Thickness: 7.17
- Focal Length: 96.5
- Edge Thickness: 5.2
from CeNing Optics Co., Ltd.
Achromatic lenses are lenses consisting of two or more elements, which are usually made of crown and flint glass with differing indices of refraction. One element is positive, the other is negative. Distinct wavelengths can be corrected for chromatic aberration. Achromatic lenses are nearly free... [See More]
- Achromat Type: Doublet
- Focal Length: 10 to 140
- Lens Application: Visible
- Center Thickness: 2.68 to 9.8
from Newport MKS
The PAC073 Visible Achromatic Doublet Lens is a 400 to 700 nm antireflection coated, 1.5 inch (38.1 mm) diameter, N-BaF10 and N-SF10 precision achromatic doublet lens with an effective focal length of 100 mm. This achromat is computer designed to effectively minimize spherical aberration and coma... [See More]
- Achromat Type: Doublet
- Center Thickness: 12.4
- Focal Length: 92.9
- Edge Thickness: 9.3
from Newport MKS
The PAC086 Visible Achromatic Doublet Lens is a 400 to 700 nm antireflection coated, 2 inch (50.8 mm) diameter, N-BK7 and N-SF5 precision achromatic doublet lens with an effective focal length of 150 mm. This achromat is computer designed to effectively minimize spherical aberration and coma when... [See More]
- Achromat Type: Doublet
- Center Thickness: 12.5
- Focal Length: 144
- Edge Thickness: 7.3
from Newport MKS
The PAC010 Visible Achromatic Doublet Lens is a 400 to 700 nm antireflection coated, 1/4 inch (6.35 mm) diameter, N-BaF10 and N-SF10 precision achromatic doublet lens with an effective focal length of 12.7 mm. This achromat is computer designed to effectively minimize spherical aberration and coma... [See More]
- Achromat Type: Doublet
- Center Thickness: 3.4
- Focal Length: 10.7
- Edge Thickness: 2.7
from Newport MKS
The PAC10AR.15 Broadband Achromatic Lens is a 345 nm to 700 nm anti-reflection coated, 0.49 inch (12.5 mm) diameter, N-FK5 and N-F2 achromatic doublet lens with an effective focal length of 25.0 mm. This achromat is computer optimized to provide diffraction limited performance for polychromatic... [See More]
- Achromat Type: Doublet
- Center Thickness: 7
- Focal Length: 21.69
- Edge Thickness: 4.99
from Newport MKS
The PAC18AR.15 Broadband Achromatic Lens is a 345 nm to 700 nm anti-reflection coated, 0.98 inch (25.0 mm) diameter, N-FK5 and N-F2 achromatic doublet lens with an effective focal length of 100.0 mm. This achromat is computer optimized to provide diffraction limited performance for polychromatic... [See More]
- Achromat Type: Doublet
- Center Thickness: 7.5
- Focal Length: 96.68
- Edge Thickness: 5.6
from Newport MKS
The PAC01AR.16 Near IR Achromatic Lens is a 750 to 1550 nm antireflection coated, 0.47 inch (12.0 mm) diameter, N-LaK22 and N-SF6 achromatic doublet lens with an effective focal length of 18.0 mm. This achromat is computer optimized at infinite conjugate ratios for applications in the near-IR... [See More]
- Achromat Type: Doublet
- Center Thickness: 10.5
- Focal Length: 12.3
- Edge Thickness: 8.41
from Newport MKS
The PAC12AR.16 Near IR Achromatic Lens is a 750 to 1550 nm antireflection coated, 0.98 inch (25.0 mm) diameter, N-LaK22 and N-SF6 achromatic doublet lens with an effective focal length of 100.0 mm. This achromat is computer optimized at infinite conjugate ratios for applications in the near-IR... [See More]
- Achromat Type: Doublet
- Center Thickness: 10
- Focal Length: 93.89
- Edge Thickness: 8.49
from Newport MKS
The APAC12 Achromatic Aspherical Lens is a 425 to 675 nm antireflection coated (front surface), 0.49 inch (12.5 mm) diameter, N-LaK8 and N-SF57 achromatic doublet lens with an effective focal length of 14.0 mm. The back surface has a molded aspheric polymer cap with a protective seal. This achromat... [See More]
- Achromat Type: Doublet
- Center Thickness: 8.08
- Focal Length: 9.89
- Edge Thickness: 4.28
from Newport MKS
The APAC15 Achromatic Aspherical Lens is a 425 to 675 nm antireflection coated (front surface), 0.98 inch (25.0 mm) diameter, N-LaK8 and N-SF57 achromatic doublet lens with an effective focal length of 30.0 mm. The back surface has a molded aspheric polymer cap with a protective seal. This achromat... [See More]
- Achromat Type: Doublet
- Center Thickness: 11.58
- Focal Length: 23.21
- Edge Thickness: 7.28
from Newport MKS
The NAC012 Visible Negative Achromatic Doublet Lens is a 400 to 700 nm antireflection coated, 12.5 mm diameter, N-BAF10 and N-SF10 precision achromatic doublet lens with an effective focal length of -15 mm. The negative achromats are commonly used for expanding the beam diameter, increasing focal... [See More]
- Achromat Type: Doublet
- Center Thickness: 6
- Focal Length: -18.08
- Edge Thickness: 8.04
from Newport MKS
The NAC010 Visible Negative Achromatic Doublet Lens is a 400 to 700 nm antireflection coated, 6.35 mm diameter, N-BAF10 and N-SF10 precision achromatic doublet lens with an effective focal length of -12.5 mm. The negative achromats are commonly used for expanding the beam diameter, increasing focal... [See More]
- Achromat Type: Doublet
- Center Thickness: 3
- Focal Length: -12.89
- Edge Thickness: 3.52
from Hangzhou Shalom Electro-optics Technology Co., Ltd.
Features: • Both off-the-shelf positive achromatic doublet lenses and negative achromatic doublet lenses are available. • Abundant selection: focal lengths 7.5mm to 1000mm (positive achromatic doublet lens); -100mm to -20mm (negative achromatic doublet lens). • Standardized diameters... [See More]
- Lens Features: Antireflection Coating
from Thorlabs, Inc.
At Thorlabs, we constantly reinforce our desire to serve at the pleasure of our customers. From this comes our desire to be connected to our industry in a way that far exceeds what would typically be expected of a vendor. Thorlabs lives this core principle by seeking to enhance, at every turn, the... [See More]
- Achromat Type: Doublet; Triplet
- Focal Length: -100 to 1000
- Lens Application: Infrared; Visible; Ultraviolet
- Center Thickness: 1.5 to 7.9
from HG Optronics, Inc.
Achromatic Lenses are used to minimize or eliminate chromatic aberration. The achromatic design also helps minimize spherical aberrations. Achromatic Lenses are ideal for a range of applications, including fluorescence microscopy, image relay, inspection, or spectroscopy. Achromatic Lenses, which... [See More]
- Achromat Type: Doublet
- Diameter: 6 to 25.4
- Focal Length: -50 to 120
- Surface Quality: 20-10 Scratch / Dig; 60-40 Scratch / Dig
from Artifex Engineering
The achromatic lens consists of two or more elements, usually of crown and flint glass, such that the composite element has been corrected for chromatic aberration with respect to two selected wavelengths. In these lenses, chromatic, spherical and coma aberrations are considerably reduced. These... [See More]
- Achromat Type: Doublet
- Focal Length: 630
- Lens Application: Visible
- Center Thickness: 17.39