Advanced Optical Film Coating

Dear Colleagues,

As one of the core surface treatment technologies, optical coating technology plays a vital and irreplaceable role in optimizing the performance of optical components, protecting protective devices from damage, and creating unique optical performance, and has gradually evolved into an important research direction in the field of modern optics and optoelectronic technology. At the same time, with the innovation and development of new materials, the continuous upgrading and optimization of unique processes, and the introduction of novel application strategies—coupled with the growing demand for its services—this research field is expected to achieve unprecdented progress.

The field of optical coating technology spans many independent disciplines, such as physics, chemistry, materials science, and engineering. In order to accelerate the pace of progress in this field, researchers from various disciplinary backgrounds should actively strengthen communication and collaboration among themselves to jointly address and solve the many challenges facing the optical coating research process. Looking to the future—with the increasing speed of scientific and technological development, the continuous improvement and updating of application needs, and the rapid development and growth of photoelectric technology—application prospects of optical coatings in the Internet of Things, artificial intelligence, biomedical and other fields will expand. Optical coating technology will have a more important role in future years, and contribute greatly to the development of science and technology, and ultimately to society at large.

This scope of this Special Issue will serve as a forum for papers in the following areas:

1. A new generation of optical coating materials: For specific application needs, coating materials with appropriate optical properties are selected, with a focus on key characteristics such as refractive index, reflectivity, transmittance, corrosion resistance and hardness.
2. Emerging technology: The use of appropriate the preparation processes— physical vapor deposition, chemical vapor deposition, physical sputtering, and chemical sputtering, for example—according to the selected material and the required coating thickness. The influence of process on coating quality will be discussed to ensure the precise control of coating preparation process, including the study of process parameter control, process monitoring and quality detection.
3. Development of multi-functional coatings: The exploration of optical coatings with various functions, such as anti-reflection, light filtering, polarization and others.
4. Pursuit of environmentally friendly coating: Research on environmentally friendly optical coating, using environmentally friendly raw materials and preparation processes to reduce environmental damage and energy consumption.
5. Environmental adaptability: Consideration of the stability and durability of the coating under various environmental conditions, including temperature, humidity, corrosive gases and other factors. The study of the weatherability and corrosion resistance of the coating is of interest here.
6. Research on nano-optical coatings: The use of nano-materials and nanotechnology to create nano-level optical coatings. The control of structure and properties of nano-optical coating and to realize a high efficiency and practicality in practical applications is also of interest.
7. Correlation between coating structure and performance: Exploration of  the relationship between coating microstructure and macro performance, establishing the relationship between coating structure and performance, and providing a theoretical basis for optimizing coating design and preparation. The interface bonding mechanism between coating and substrate is a further topic for discussion, with a view to improving the adhesion of coating.
8. Equipment and instruments: Research and development of special equipment and instruments suitable for optical film coating preparation and testing, to effectively improve preparation efficiency and coating quality.
9. Characterization and testing technology of optical coatings: Innovation in the characterization and testing technology of optical coatings, and establishing a sound evaluation system. Performance indicators, test methods, characterization methods and other aspects of optical coatings, to provide technical support for the development and application of optical coatings, are of interest here.
10. Integration and system application of optical coatings: The integration and system application of optical coatings, and exploration of their role and effects in entire optical systems.
11. Failure mechanism and live evaluation of optical coatings: The failure mechanisms and live evaluation methods of optical coatings, with a focus on improving the stability and durability of optical coatings. Various factors affecting the life of optical coatings, such as environmental factors, physical factors, chemical factors are of interest here, to provide a theoretical basis and technical support for extending the service life of optical coatings.
12. Application research: Putting optical film coating into practice, verifying its performance and effect, and optimizing and improving according to actual needs. The exploration of new areas of application and potential market demand are also of interest here.

Dr. Shuangqiang Liu
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Coatings is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• optical coating
• coating technology
• environmental adaptability coating
• coating mechanism
• coating characterization and test