Optical Filter Coater
OFC｜A Multilayer Evaporation Platform Built for High-Precision Optical Filters
Optical Filter Coater｜Multi-layer Precision for Optical FiltersA Precision Evaporation Platform Built for High-End Optical Filters
Optical filters are core components of modern optical systems — from projectors and bio-medical fluorescence microscopy to 3D sensing, laser processing, and fiber-optic communications. Every application relies on specific spectral characteristics to achieve precise wavelength selection. As application requirements grow more demanding, modern high-end filters routinely exceed 100 layers, posing extreme challenges for long-run process stability, thickness precision, and spectral repeatability.
The Dah Young Vacuum OFC (Optical Filter Coater) is a dedicated equipment platform optimized for high-end optical filter applications. The OFC integrates Dah Young's proprietary high-precision Optical Monitoring System (OMS) with dual-band monitoring, high-performance ion source, and large-capacity crucible design — built specifically for multilayer stacking and long-run process stability. It delivers industry-leading filter production solutions for high-end applications including optical communications, bio-medical spectroscopy, and 3D sensing.
100+ Layer Capability | Precision Stacking Without Compromise
High-end filters such as Narrow Bandpass, Edge Filters, and Dual Band filters routinely require precise stacking of 100+ pairs of high/low refractive index layers. Thickness errors in any single layer are amplified through the stack, directly affecting the final filter's center wavelength, full-width-at-half-maximum (FWHM), and pass-band flatness.
The OFC employs a large-crucible design that completes 100+ layer continuous deposition in a single uninterrupted process — ensuring environmental consistency throughout the long run. Combined with the dual-mode (transmission/reflection) real-time monitoring capability of Dah Young's proprietary OMS, the OFC controls per-layer thickness error within ±0.5 nm and center wavelength deviation within ±0.5% — meeting the highest requirements of optical communications and bio-medical applications.
Dual-Band OMS Optical Monitoring | Hitting Design Targets in Complex Stacks
Different film systems require different monitoring strategies — anti-reflection coatings are best monitored in transmission mode, high-reflection coatings require reflection-mode monitoring, and complex dual-band filters need synchronous dual-mode monitoring. The OFC comes standard-equipped with Dah Young's proprietary dual-band OMS, capable of simultaneously detecting multiple monitoring wavelengths to handle the precise control demands of various complex film systems.
The OMS integrates deeply with the equipment control system, providing millisecond-level real-time correction. Combined with proprietary algorithms, it effectively compensates for environmental drift, crucible temperature variations, and ion source power fluctuations across long process runs. With this precision monitoring architecture, the OFC maintains per-layer design accuracy throughout 8–12 hour processes — ensuring high batch-to-batch spectral consistency.
A Complete Process Platform Built for High-End Filter Manufacturing
Beyond core monitoring and ion source technology, the OFC integrates multiple critical design elements for filter applications: large-capacity crucibles to reduce process interruption risk, long-life ion sources to ensure stable ion flux, optimized chamber flow design to minimize particle contamination, and an automated operator interface designed for high-yield production.
The OFC offers chamber sizes including 1350, 1550, and 1800 — flexibly configured to customer production scale and substrate dimensions. From small-scale R&D models to flagship volume-production units, the OFC fully covers the equipment needs of every stage in the optical filter industry.
SpecificationsOFC Series
| Item | OFC-1350 / 1550 / 1800 |
|---|---|
| Product Line | Coater Series — Optical Filter Coater |
| Substrate Material | Glass optical substrates (B270, Schott series, Fused Silica, various optical glass) |
| Coating Technology | E-beam Evaporation + Ion-Assisted Deposition (IAD) |
| Ion Source | Dah Young in-house 24 / 27 cm high-performance ion source (high-precision thickness control) |
| Optical Monitoring |
Dah Young proprietary Optical Monitoring System (OMS) transmission / reflection dual-mode real-time monitoring |
| Layer Stacking Capability | 100+ layer multilayer stacking capability |
| Thickness Precision |
±0.5 nm (single layer) ±0.5% center wavelength precision (multilayer) |
| Thickness Uniformity | Within ± 0.5% (full load) |
| Coating Materials | Oxides (SiO₂, Ta₂O₅, Nb₂O₅, TiO₂, HfO₂, ZrO₂), Fluorides (MgF₂), low-absorption high/low refractive-index pairs |
| Ultimate Vacuum | ≦ 5 × 10⁻⁶ Torr |
| Operation Mode | IPC fully automatic / manual mode — designed for long-run continuous processing |
| Optional Modules | Multi-channel optical monitoring / large-capacity crucibles |
※ The above represents standard configuration. Actual specifications can be customized to customer application requirements.
01100+ Layer Multilayer Stacking Capability
- Large-Capacity Crucibles: Large crucible design completes 100+ layer multilayer stacking in a single process — no mid-process material reload required.
- Long-Run Stability: Optimized chamber environment maintains process consistency across 8–12 hour continuous operation.
- Unlimited Layer Count: Theoretically unlimited by layer count — suitable for all complex filter film system designs.
02OMS Optical Monitoring System
- Dual-Mode Synchronous: Simultaneous transmission and reflection monitoring adapts to any complex film system.
- Millisecond Correction: Deep integration with equipment control compensates in real time for environmental drift across long process runs.
- High-Precision Control: Single-layer thickness precision ±0.5 nm, center wavelength deviation ±0.5% — meeting the highest grade for optical communications applications.
03High-Performance Ion Source for Enhanced Film Quality
- Proprietary Ion Source: Standard-equipped with Dah Young's in-house 24cm / 27cm high-performance ion source — core technology fully owned in-house.
- Densified Film Quality: Powerful IAD process ensures dense multilayer film structure with long-term spectral stability.
- Environmental Durability: Passes high-temperature/humidity and thermal shock reliability tests — suitable for demanding application environments.
04High Uniformity | High-Volume Batch Production
- Full-Load Uniformity: Thickness uniformity within ±0.5% — ensuring identical spectral performance across all substrates in a batch.
- FAST Simulation: Combined with Dah Young's FAST simulator, dramatically reduces correction-mask tuning time for new products.
- High Throughput: Large chamber paired with planetary fixtures loads substantial substrate quantities per batch — improving production economics.
05Complete Chamber Size Range | Covering Industry-Wide Demand
- Comprehensive Lineup: Chamber sizes 1350 / 1550 / 1800 cover all needs from experimental to volume production.
- High-End Flagship Model: The 2050 large-chamber model is designed for high-volume production and large-format optical substrates.
- Flexible Investment: Customers select the optimal model based on product portfolio and production scale.
With its 100+ layer capability, dual-band precision monitoring, and long-run stability, the OFC serves a broad range of high-end optical filter manufacturing — from consumer-electronics 3D sensing to optical communications, bio-medical fluorescence, and laser optics — delivering industry-leading production-grade coating solutions.
013D Sensing & Consumer Electronics
Smartphone facial recognition, ToF distance sensing, gesture recognition, and other 3D sensing applications extensively use Narrow Bandpass filters to isolate specific laser wavelengths (940nm, 1380nm). The OFC's precision thickness control and production stability make it key equipment for 3D sensing module manufacturing.
02Bio-medical & Fluorescence Detection
High-sensitivity bio-medical equipment such as fluorescence microscopy, flow cytometry, and real-time PCR detection demand exceptional spectral purity, blocking depth (OD), and signal-to-noise ratio. The OFC's high-precision multilayer process meets the medical-diagnostic-grade spectral performance requirements.
03Optical Communication & Laser
Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) in fiber communications, wavelength-specific control in laser processing, and laser protection require filters with high reflectivity, low absorption, and high laser damage thresholds. The OFC's long-run stability and material purity meet these high-end application demands.
04Projection & Imaging
Imaging systems including projector optical engines, image sensor IR-Cut, and HDR displays demand strict color accuracy, spectral flatness, and long-term stability from filters. The OFC produces a wide range of high-end imaging filters.
05Astronomy & Scientific Instruments
Space telescopes, ground-based astronomical observation equipment, scientific spectroscopic instruments, and satellite sensors demand top-tier specialty spectral designs, extreme environmental tolerance, and long-term stability from filters. The OFC is among the few systems capable of meeting these high-end research requirements.
