This book is a comprehensive introduction on infrared anti-transparent materials and their applications in anti-reflective and protective coatings. Optical, mechanical and thermal properties and preparations of various kinds of films, such as amorphous diamond films, germanium carbide films, boron phosphide films, alumina films and yttrium oxide film are discussed in detail making it suitable for material scientists and industrial engineers.

Hydrogenated amorphous carbon films (a-C:H) were deposited on glass, silicon and germanium substrates. The films are transparent in the IR and are extremely hard. The a-C:H films were homogeneously deposited at a rate of about 500 A/min in an RF excited discharge from benzene vapour. The characteristic features of this deposition method are discussed. Thickness, short wavelength absorption, refractive index (2 - 10 micrometers) and relative hydrogen content were determined. Variations in short wavelength absorption, IR-refractive index and relative hydrogen content could be correlated with deposition conditions. The refractive index of a-C:H can be tuned to be exactly 2, thus a-C:H is an ideal single layer AR-coating for germanium (n = 4). Laser calorimetric measurements of optical absorption at 10.6 micrometers give an absorption coefficient of 250/cm. The application of a-C:H as single layer AR coating on Ge and as outside layer of a multi-layer coating is demonstrated.

The Foundations of Vacuum Coating Technology, Second Edition, is a revised and expanded version of the first edition, which was published in 2003. The book reviews the histories of the various vacuum coating technologies and expands on the history of the enabling technologies of vacuum technology, plasma technology, power supplies, and low-pressure plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition. The melding of these technologies has resulted in new processes and products that have greatly expanded the application of vacuum coatings for use in our everyday lives. The book is unique in that it makes extensive reference to the patent literature (mostly US) and how it relates to the history of vacuum coating. The book includes a Historical Timeline of Vacuum Coating Technology and a Historical Timeline of Vacuum/Plasma Technology, as well as a Glossary of Terms used in the vacuum coating and surface engineering industries. History and detailed descriptions of Vacuum Deposition Technologies Review of Enabling Technologies and their importance to current applications Extensively referenced text Patents are referenced as part of the history Historical Timelines for Vacuum Coating Technology and Vacuum/Plasma Technology Glossary of Terms for vacuum coating