Visible BBAR
Ravg <0.5%, 425–675 nm · 0–30° incidence
Anti-Reflection Coatings
Anti-reflection coatings are thin dielectric layers that cut surface reflection and raise transmission on glass, optics and plastics. We design and apply AR coatings for visible, near-IR and SWIR bands, down to 0.5% average reflection across the visible and below 0.25% over a narrow telecom band, on glass, Gorilla® Glass, borosilicate, filter glass, acrylic and polycarbonate.
Share your material, drawing, thickness, tolerance and quantity.
Anti-Reflection Coatings Capabilities
Glass processing options and technical limits for your drawing
Visible + NIR
Ravg <1%, 425–900 nm · One coating for day and night
SWIR and telecom
<1%, 900–1700 nm · <0.25% at 1450–1650 nm
Wide angle
Laser-line AR to 50° · Ravg <0.5%
Substrates
Glass, Gorilla®, borosilicate · Filter glass, PMMA, PC
Durability
MIL-C-675, MIL-C-14806A · MIL-C-48497A
Quote preparation
Get an AR coating quote
Tell us the wavelength band, angle of incidence, substrate, coated sides and quantity, and we will propose a design and its reflectance curve.
Request a QuoteTechnical Guide
Band, Angle and Residual Reflection
An AR coating is designed for a wavelength band and a range of angles, and the wider either one gets, the higher the residual reflection. Our visible broadband design holds average reflection below 0.5% from 425 to 675 nm; stretching it to 900 nm raises that to about 1%; a telecom design held to 1450–1650 nm reaches below 0.25%. Specify the band your system actually uses rather than the widest one available.
Standard designs are rated for 0–30° incidence. Wide-field lenses, scanners and laser paths that strike the window more steeply need a wide-angle design, which we build to 50°.
Not every part needs a multilayer stack. A single layer of SiO₂ or MgF₂ brings reflection below 2%, half that of bare glass, and is the most durable and lowest-cost option for lighting covers and general windows.
Standard AR Designs
| Design | Wavelength range | Average reflection | Angle of incidence | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single layer, SiO₂ or MgF₂ | 450–650 nm | <2% | Near normal | Lighting covers, general windows |
| Visible broadband (BBAR) | 425–675 nm | <0.5% | 0–30° | Displays, touch screens, imaging windows |
| Visible + NIR | 425–900 nm | <1% | 0–30° | Day-night cameras, machine vision |
| SWIR | 900–1700 nm | <1% | 0–30° | InGaAs sensors |
| Telecom, optimized | 1450–1650 nm | <0.25% | 0–30° | Fiber optics, 1550 nm LiDAR |
| Laser line, wide angle | At the laser line | <0.5% | 0–50° | Scanners, laser windows |
| NIR diode, ultra-low | At the diode line | <1% | 0–30° | 850–940 nm illuminators and sensors |
Custom bands, angles and multi-band designs are made to order, with an oleophobic top layer where the surface will be touched.
AR Coating Questions
Can AR be applied to acrylic and polycarbonate?
Yes, over a hardcoat that protects the plastic. Clean coated plastics with alcohol or mild soap only; acetone, which is safe on coated glass, attacks acrylic and polycarbonate.
Which durability standard should I name?
Our coatings meet MIL-C-675, MIL-C-14806A and MIL-C-48497A. Each sets different abrasion, adhesion and humidity tests, so name the one your program requires on the drawing.
Why does a coated part show a color tint?
An AR coating leaves a small residual reflection with a purple, blue or green tone. It is part of the design, not a defect, and can be matched across parts; see our AR glass page.
Why are small runs more expensive?
Vacuum coating runs in batches: a sputtering line holds about 77 ten-inch panels per batch, whether you need 10 or 77. Tight limits on color and cosmetic defects also mean sorting, which lowers yield. Set those limits to what the product needs.
Should AF go on top?
On touched or cleaned surfaces, yes. Grease and fine scratches make an AR surface look more reflective; an oleophobic AF layer keeps it clean and protects it from wear.
From Specification to Coated Part
- 01
Define the target
Wavelength band, angle range, substrate, coated sides and any durability standard.
- 02
Design the stack
We model the layer stack and share the predicted reflectance curve before coating.
- 03
Prepare the parts
Substrates are cleaned and loaded into fixtures that hold them without touching the coated face.
- 04
Deposit
Layers are deposited by vacuum evaporation or magnetron sputtering.
- 05
Measure
Reflectance is measured on a spectrophotometer across the specified band.
- 06
Test and ship
Samples from the run are tested to the named durability standard before shipping.
Gallery
Related Glass Processing Services
Send your custom glass drawing
Send the wavelength band, angle of incidence, substrate and size, coated sides, quantity and any durability standard, and we will propose a design with its reflectance curve.