Environmental Factors Affecting Spin-Processed Antireflection Coatings

We have shown previously that spin-coated colloidal anti-reflection (AR) coatings offer several advantages among AR technologies, including low cost, speed, and ease of processing.  In this talk, we will review recent efforts to create silicon dioxide nanoparticle coatings with tunable refractive index and thickness in order to enhance their compatibility with the widest possible range of optical systems and materials.  Because such coatings are essentially porous silica frameworks, as-processed coatings remain hydrophilic and therefore have optical properties that are sensitive to the ambient humidity and temperature.  We demonstrate the capability of such systems for environmental sensing, and discuss strategies for mitigating environmental sensitivity where optical property stability is desired.