Broadband plasma spray anti-reflection coating technology for millimeter-wave astrophysics

Abstract

We present a broadband plasma spray anti-reflection (AR) coating technology for millimeter-wave astrophysics experiments with large-format, cryogenic optics. By plasma spraying alumina- and silica-based powders, we have produced coatings of tunable index of refraction and thickness, low loss, and coefficient of thermal expansion matched to alumina substrates. We demonstrate two-layer AR coatings on alumina with reflection below 5% over 82% and 69% fractional bandwidths for 90/150 and 220/280 GHz passband designs, respectively, and band-averaged absorption loss reduced to ∼ 1 % at 100 K for both AR coatings. We describe the design, tolerance, fabrication process, and optical measurements of these AR coatings.