Reactive low-voltage ion plating of optical coatings on ophthalmic lenses

摘要

Reactive low voltage ion plating (RLVIP) produces dense and hard coatings even on unheated substrates. These qualities are highly desirable for coating of plastic lenses. However, the thermal expansion coefficient of these dense coatings is much lower than that of plastic substrates. Hence, even a moderate temperature rise during deposition puts the coatings under extreme compressive stress because of the subsequent shrinking of the substrate during cool down. We report our experience and encouraging results with this coating process for the antireflection coating of ophthalmic lenses.