Course Description
The demand for optical coatings of all kinds is greater than it
has ever been and is still increasing. Many coatings are of complex and
difficult design, and support applications in advanced technology. Coating
practitioners find themselves having to understand not simply the
operation of coatings but also how they behave and influence the
application in which they are used. Sound guidance to the systems designer
is of major importance in the achievement of an ultimately satisfactory
performance.
Access to a comprehensive set of software tools coupled with an
understanding of basic coating design principles are necessary
prerequisites but effective coating design needs rather more, and that is
the subject of the present course.
The course is built around the Essential Macleod software package for
the design and analysis of optical coatings. It is easy to use and there
are all kinds of features that make problem solving easy and even
enjoyable. There are two principal thrusts to the course: how to operate
and how to use the software. Operating the software means entering data,
generating specifications, presenting results, exporting or importing
information, directing calculations and so on. Using the software means
actively attacking design or analysis problems with it. We can liken it to
the abilities both to drive an automobile and to use it to get from A to
B. Mastery of both is necessary.
The style is an interactive tutorial with much hands-on practice. Each
student has sole use of a personal computer during the three days of the
course. Small classes allow individual attention extending to
investigation of a student's own specific problems and enable both the
beginner and experienced practitioner to derive maximum benefit.
At first sight, the Essential Macleod interface is surprisingly simple
and is designed to be easily mastered by a first-time user. But there is
much more that is intended for the expert, experienced practitioner. The
course will include an exploration of these deeper facilities. The
emphasis is on the effective use of the software and all the available
tools. The three day course will survey the structure of the program, its
conventions and the way it organizes data. Techniques for the design of a
wide range of components, from antireflection and antiglare coatings to
chirped multilayers for femtosecond pulses will be treated. Powerful
automatic methods will be introduced along with advice on when to use
them. Analytical methods that help both in design and in the understanding
of design will be explained. The performance of systems of coatings and
the difference between theoretical design performance, measured
performance, and the performance achieved under conditions of use in
systems will be examined. Planning the manufacture of a coating that has
been designed demands an understanding of tolerances and of monitoring
techniques. The influence of factors in manufacture such as monitoring
signal noise and variation of process conditions will be studied. Reverse
engineering is important when practical results are not as expected, but
there are also pitfalls that must be understood.
Comprehensive notes will be provided which not only cover the material
of the lessons but also contain much additional information. |
