Abstract

Intuitive interpretation of the effect of inhomogeneous layers in optical coatings is often difficult. I use admittance diagrams to interpret some properties of accidental and premeditated optical inhomogeneities. The effect of accidental homogeneous and inhomogeneous transition layers on the spectral properties of a single film is presented. I show that such layers affect the envelope of the reflectance spectra of thick films, effects that are extended to the shorter wavelength range. Using the same approach, I evaluate the properties and limitations of quintic antireflection coatings and show that the suppression of harmonics in rugate filters is due to an absentee-layer phenomenon and not solely to an antireflection effect as is often suggested.

© 2002 Optical Society of America

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