Optical reflectionless potentials for broadband, omnidirectional antireflection

Abstract

Reflectionless potentials (RPs) represent a class of potentials that offer total transmission in the context of one dimensional scattering. An optical realization of RP can exhibit a truly broadband omni-directional antireflection. We report our experimental observations confirming the reflectionless behavior. Stratified media conforming to RP's are designed and fabricated using Al(2)O(3) and TiO(2) heterolayers. They showed < 0.5% reflection over the broad wavelength range of 350 nm to 2500 nm for angles of incidence 0 - 50 degrees. These RPs can be designed on substrates and are thus interesting for optical instrumentation as broadband, omni-directional antireflection coatings.