Gold coatings

Gold coatings offer significant advantages for laser optics, particularly due to their outstanding reflectivity in the IR range. This property makes gold the preferred material for laser systems operating in this specific spectral range. The high reflectivity of gold minimises energy losses and improves the efficiency of laser systems, which is particularly important in low-power applications. In addition, the chemical stability of gold ensures that the coated surfaces retain their optical properties over long periods of time without tarnishing or corroding. This long-term stability is crucial for applications that require consistent performance over time.

Gold coatings are now an indispensable component in laser optics due to their unique optical properties and versatility. In addition to the advantages of gold as a coating material, its low hardness and tendency to scratch easily pose challenges. It is therefore advisable to apply an additional protective layer to the gold coating. This increases the long-term stability and protects against mechanical stress without impairing the properties of the optical system. Modern coating technologies enable the application of such protective layers (dielectric coatings), which ensure the longevity of gold-coated optics under various operating conditions and additionally increase their performance (reflection). Pleiger Laser Optics utilises advanced PVD processes to produce gold coatings that meet the demanding requirements of the industry.