GRADIENT – Refractive-index Gradients in Coatings for Enhanced High-Performance Laser Components

Project Partner

Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Optics and Precision Engineering (IOF), Jena

Project Description

The GRADIENT project aims to develop optical coatings and components that, by exploiting refractive-index gradients, deliver improved optical performance for high-power lasers and beam delivery systems.

• Anti-reflection coatings for large, strongly curved lenses, realized via ultra-low-refractive-index silica (SiO₂) layers. Potential implementation approaches include etching into fused silica or Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD), followed by comparative evaluation with established coating methods.
• Gradual refractive-index transitions in mirrors for UV and ultrashort-pulse lasers (USP), targeting improved laser-induced damage thresholds. This involves the use of novel hafnium oxide (HfO₂) precursor materials.