Selecting the Right Coatings for Space

July 28, 2025

Selecting the Right Coatings for Space: From UV to LWIR

Optimizing AR coatings, gold/silver mirrors, and atomic oxygen resistance for satellite telescopes

Satellite telescopes operate in one of the harshest environments in optical engineering—exposed to radiation, atomic oxygen, extreme thermal cycles, and broad spectral demands. From imaging Earth in the visible and near-infrared to observing celestial bodies in UV or thermal infrared, these instruments require coatings that ensure long-term performance, stability, and survivability.

1. Anti-Reflective (AR) Coatings for Multi-Band Performance

Maximizing optical throughput and minimizing ghosting in satellite telescopes requires high-performance AR coatings tailored to specific mission wavelengths. Whether for Earth observation, star tracking, or atmospheric analysis, broadband AR coatings are essential.
  • Deep UV to NIR Telescopes: Dielectric multilayers using materials like MgF₂, LaF₃, and Al₂O₃ are engineered for high transmittance and low absorption in vacuum conditions.
  • Multispectral Imaging Systems: Custom AR coatings may be applied to complex optics, such as lenses in wide-field imagers or corrector plates in Ritchey–Chrétien configurations.
Key Benefit: Coatings produced via ion-beam sputtering (IBS) or atomic layer deposition (ALD) offer superior environmental stability, dense film structure, and better adhesion on lightweight substrates like Zerodur, silicon carbide (SiC), or fused silica.  To read the entire article, visit Avantier Inc.

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