Automated calculation of optical monitoring strategy based on use of sensitive wavelengths and error self-compensation effects
Defining an appropriate optical monitoring strategy is critical to ensure accurate layer thicknesses in thin-film optical filter fabrication. This work focuses on active monochromatic monitoring combined with level-cut layer termination. We propose a method that limits monitoring wavelength changes while still selecting high-sensitivity wavelengths for each layer. This approach minimizes individual thickness errors and simultaneously preserves inter-layer error self-compensation. The method was validated on multiple examples of non-quarter-wave filters. Compared to existing strategies, it offers a practical balance between accuracy, robustness, and ease of implementation.
Authors
- Detlef Arhilger
- Julien Lumeau (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9800-4189)
- Harro Hagedorn
- Lucas Arsac
- Fabien Lemarchand
Institutions
- Bühler (Switzerland) (CH)
- Institut Fresnel (FR)
- Bühler (United Kingdom) (GB)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Optics Express
- Published
- 2025-09-12
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1364/oe.573002
- Citations
- 1
- Primary Topic
- Advanced Optical Sensing Technologies
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 1.19