Optical coatings: Trends and challenges

New applications in optoelectronics, photonics, telecommunication, displays, optical data processing, biomedicine, sensors, energy control, automobile, aerospace, and architecture stimulation are important developments in physics and technology of optical coatings. This paper will focus on the latest advances in the areas of new optical film systems and devices, new optical coating materials and film fabrication techniques, process control and monitoring, and different advanced applications. Particularly, focus is on optical films that combine optical design with microstrutural features tailored on the nanometer and micrometer scales. Evaluation of film stability and integrity in harsh industrial environments and their compatibility with organic polymers are important as well.