Coating processes for plastic optics

Transparent plastics have been used for optical applications with growing demand. This development is accompanied by a desire for extended surface functionalities. Most important optical surface function is antireflection (AR), which is performed mainly by applying plasma-assisted processes. Critical considerations for coating polymers include interaction with emission from plasma and thermal stress. State-of-the-art vacuum processes for coating on plastic, as well as new results of research and development in the fields of AR design and AR structures will be introduced and discussed.