New approaches in numerical modeling of light scattered by complex optical coatings

Abstract

Space applications require more and more demanding optical functions. This evolution led to the development of new generation of optical components with extreme performances in terms of scattering level, roughness, localized defects, spectral evolution of performances, coherent backscattering…. In this context, optical components produced for space applications present an increasing complexity with extreme specifications. As a consequence, new problematics specific to this generation of components appeared and among them, the management of light scattering remains a significant challenge. The Light Scattering Group of the Institut Fresnel has been working on these topics for several decades and developed an optimized metrology of spectral and angular scattering which now allows to validate our scattering models with high accuracy. This led us to propose new improvements of the model in the case of complex optical coatings. One example consists in taking into account light scattering from both coatings deposited at each face of the component, which offers new opportunities for reverse engineering. Results will be detailed in this paper