Evaluating the optical performance of a composite material that consists mixture of (CeO₂)and (TiO₂) with CaF₂, which is representative of a low refractive index material

In this study, the evaluation of composite materials CeO₂:CaF₂ and TiO₂:CaF₂, which have a high contrast value in refractive index, is conducted to examine their performance in optical coating applications. High-purity metal oxides (CeO₂) and (TiO₂) were mixed with (CaF₂) at a specific weight ratio, according to Lorenz equation. Preparing thin films of (CeO₂:CaF₂), (TiO₂:CaF₂) employing pulsed laser deposition (PLD) at various laser intensities (500,600,700,and800) mJ, for(CeO₂:CaF₂),(700,800and900) mJ for(TiO₂:CaF₂).  Investigating the influence of laser energy on determining the optimal optical constants with unique optical performance.

Results indicate that perfect specimens at energy (500) mJ,400 shots for (CeO₂:CaF₂) , and with  700mJ, 550 shots for (TiO₂:CaF₂), which these exhibited optimal wide band antireflection coating performance. Unique optical properties were achieved, manifested by new refractive indices n equal  (1.33) of  CeO₂:CaF₂ and n equal ( 1.22) of TiO₂:CaF₂.

A distinct convergence was observed between the practical and theoretical results, evaluating optical performance for ARC achieved optimal optical performance for broadband ARC application using a single thin layer in VIS-NIR region . This led to solving an important production problem.

The most important recommendations which the study has come up with

1.Study evaluating mixing other low-refractive index (MgF2)  material with both TiO2 and Co2 .

2.Investigate the influence of   changing other laser parameters, such as the laser wavelength and the number of shots, on optical performance

3.Study synthesis of the   multilayer coating with mixed layers deposition

4.Employing plasma method (Dc,RF ) as deposition technique

5.Fabrication beam splitter adopting deposition of a composite material

the average obtained   Very Good (High)