Multilayer optical component
AssigneeU.S. Philips Corporation
InventorsJan Haisma, Pieter van der Werf
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A multilayer optical component is provided in thin-film technology. The component comprises a monocrystalline substrate 1, for example a garnet substrate, which supports a stack 2 of monocrystalline layers 11-16, for example garnet layers, provided epitaxially on the substrate. The layers have alternately a high and a low refractive index and as regards thickness and refractive index are optimized to minimally or maximally reflect electromagnetic radiation of a given wavelength in the infrared or optical range of the spectrum. Said optical component is suitable in particular for use in high-power lasers.
Claims36
A multilayer optical component in thin-film technology for handling electromagnetic radiation which is incident transversely to the plane of the component, having a substrate which supports a stack of thin-film layers having alternatively a high and a low refractive index, characterized in that the substrate is a monocrystalline substrate having a lattice constant a.sub.o ;
- that the stack of thin-film layers consists of a number of monocrystalline layers grown epitaxially from the liquid phase on the substrate and having a lattice constant which is substantially equal to a.sub.o ;
- and that the component is effective for handling electromagnetic radiation which is selected from (1) the visible and (2) the visible and infrared spectral range.
A multiplayer optical component comprising a monocrystalline substrate having a lattice constant a.sub.o which supports a stack of thin-film layers having alternatively a high and low refractive index, said stack consisting of a number of monocrystalline layers epitaxially grown on said substrate from the liquid phase and having a lattice constant which is substantially equal to a.sub.o.
A multiplayer optical component comprising a monocrystalline substrate having a lattice constant a.sub.o which supports a stack of thin-film layers having alternatively a high and low refractive index, said stack consisting of a number of monocrystalline layers epitaxially grown on said substrate from the liquid phase and having a lattice constant which is substantially equal to a.sub.o, the monocrystalline layers which, taken from the substrate, have an even number consisting of the same material as the substrate, the substrate and the monocrystalline layers grown epitaxially thereon consisting of a monocrystalline material having a garnet structure.
A multilayer optical component comprising a monocrystalline gadolinium gallium garnet substrate having a lattice constant a.sub.o which supports a stack of thin-film layers having alternatively a high and low refractive index, said stack consisting of a number of monocrystalline layers epitaxially grown on said substrate from the liquid phase and having a lattice constant which is substantially equal to a.sub.o, the monocrystalline layers having an odd number when taken from the substrate being selected from a member of the group consisting of (1) a material based on yttrium iron garnet;
- and (2) a material based on Y.sub.3 Al.sub.3 Sc.sub.2 O.sub.12 ;
- and the monocrystalline layers having an even number when taken from the substrate consisting of gadolinium gallium garnet.
A laser comprising at least one optical component for handling electromagnetic radiation which is incident transversely to the plane of the component, having a substrate which supports a stack of thin-film layers having alternatively a high and a low refractive index, wherein said substrate is a monocrystalline substrate having a lattice constant a.sub.o ;
- the stack of thin-film layers consists of a number of monocrystalline layers grown epitaxially from the liquid phase on the substrate and having a lattice constant which is substantially equal to a.sub.o ;
- and the component is effective for handling electromagnetic radiation which is selected from (1) the visible and (2) the visible and infrared spectral range.
A laser comprising at least one multilayer optical component comprising a monocrystalline substrate having a lattice constant a.sub.o which supports a stack of thin-film layers having alternatively a high and low refractive index, said stack consisting of a number of monocrystalline layers epitaxially grown on said substrate from the liquid phase and having a lattice constant which is substantially equal to a.sub.o.
A laser comprising at least one optical component comprising a monocrystalline substrate having a lattice constant a.sub.o which supports a stack of thin-film layers having alternatively a high and low refractive index, said stack consisting of a number of monocrystalline layers epitaxially grown on said substrate from the liquid phase and having a lattice constant which is substantially equal to a.sub.o, the monocrystalline layers which, taken from the substrate have an even number consisting of the same material as the substrate, the substrate and the monocrystalline layers grown epitaxially thereon consisting of a monocrystalline material having a garnet structure.
A laser comprising at least one multilayer optical component comprising a monocrystalline gadolinium gallium garnet substrate having a lattice constant a.sub.o which supports a stack of thin-film layers having alternately a high and low refractive index, said stack consisting of a number of monocrystalline layers epitaxially grown on said substrate from the liquid phase equal to a.sub.o, the monocrystalline layers having an odd number when taken from the substrate being selected from a member of the group consisting of (1) a material based on yttrium iron garnet;
- and (2) a material based on Y.sub.3 Al.sub.3 Sc.sub.2 O.sub.12 ;
- and the monocrystalline layers having an even number when taken from the substrate consisting of gadolinium gallium garnet.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.