Toward perfect antireflection coatings: numerical investigation

TLDR

A perfect antireflection coating would eliminate reflection at an interface for all wavelengths, polarizations, and angles. The study numerically investigates how closely this ideal can be achieved. Wideband solutions are attainable when layer indices approach that of the low‑index medium, making realistic solid–solid interfaces feasible, while narrow‑band high‑angle AR solutions exist for polarized or unpolarized light near specific reststrahlen bands.

Abstract

A perfect antireflection (AR) coating would remove completely the reflection from an interface between two media for all wavelengths, polarizations, and angles of incidence. The degree to which this can be achieved is investigated numerically. It is shown that wideband solutions can be found provided that layers can be deposited with refractive indices that are close to that of the low-index medium. Thus realistic solutions exist for interfaces between two solid media. Narrow-band high-angle AR solutions are also possible for polarized light and for unpolarized light in the vicinity of certain reststrahlen bands.