Fluids adsorbed within the layers of optical coatings cause gradients of refractive index which scatter light from the reflected and transmitted beams. A general equation which relates the sensitivity to scatter to the strength of the electric field at a point in a coating is derived and used to obtain approximate expressions for the magnitude of scatter expected from antireflection films, multilayered reflecting coatings, and interference filters. Examples of scatter from all-dielectric and metal-dielectric-metal filters are given, and the timedependence and tuning characteristics of the scatter are discussed.

Item Type:	Refereed Article
Keywords:	optical thin films
Research Division:	Physical Sciences
Research Group:	Optical Physics
Research Field:	Optical Physics not elsewhere classified
Objective Division:	Expanding Knowledge
Objective Group:	Expanding Knowledge
Objective Field:	Expanding Knowledge in the Physical Sciences
UTAS Author:	Wilson, PW (Professor Peter Wilson)
ID Code:	105171
Year Published:	1986
Deposited By:	Research Division
Deposited On:	2015-12-11
Last Modified:	2015-12-11
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