If you see a rainbow pattern on a soap bubble or on a film of oil you are seeing a simple optical thin film in action. Wavelength dependent constructive and destructive interference occurs when light interacts with material layers of thicknesses that are fractions of the incident light. When the thickness of the film corresponds to an integer (m) multiple of the wavelength of light constructive interference occurs according to:
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2n2dcos(Θ2) = m λ
At Iridian we put this basic thin film physics to work by depositing onto substrates (typically glass) optical thin film filters consisting of alternating layers of high and low refractive index materials. Often these layer stacks consist of 10’s to 100’s of individual layers. The individual layer thicknesses are on the order of 10 nm to nm thick depending on the spectral range of the optical filter (the layers thickness are often ¼ of the wavelength region of interest). The result is selective transmission and reflection of specific wavelength bands dependent on the effective thickness of the film and the layer structure deposited.
The deposition and substrate materials are selected on the basis of their optical and physical properties for the operating wavelength range of the filter as well as for the ability to be deposited in a controlled and efficient manner and with the requirement that the resultant thin film filter be robust and durable. Dielectric oxide materials are usually the material of choice for visible (350-750 nm) and near- and mid-IR (750- nm) spectral range (for UV and long wave IR wavelength ranges, selenides, sulfides, fluorides and semiconductors are often employed). These coating materials can be deposited by different mechanisms but at Iridian we typically employ energetic sputtering processes (we use evaporation in the 10-15um wavelength range) to efficiently produce in a repeatable, high yielding manner, complex, precise and robust filter stacks.
Optical thin film filter software is employed by thin film engineers to design the thin film multilayer based on the chosen materials and required optical and physical specifications. In order to realize the desired optical performance, the optical constants of the deposited thin film materials need to be accurate and the layer thicknesses tightly controlled, typically to within 1 nm, for deposition runs that can last from a few hours to several days. Modern thin film deposition systems employ in-situ optical monitoring to ensure that the layers are accurately deposited; the control software can then automatically adjust subsequent layers based on the in-situ feedback to produce the desired final filter shape.
Optical thin film filters are designed to transmit, reflect or absorb specific wavelength ranges of light for one or more angles of incidence and for different polarizations of light. At Iridian most of the optical filters that we produce provide “wavelength selectivity” to the devices in which they are implemented; that is they transmit specific wavelength regions and reflect or block others providing “more signal, with less background” to the systems in which they are deployed.
Optical filters are used in diverse applications:
As always, a balance of price and performance are primary considerations when selecting a supplier. However partnering with an experienced and responsive supplier that is willing to suggest trade-offs and possesses the proven ability to produce many different types of filters helps ensure that the optimal solution will be produced that addresses both commercial and technical needs of your product.
It is also critical that your supplier follows and is certified to a quality management system (such as ISO:) and that they have a team in place to support the filter from initial concept through to volume production if needed. Finding a supplier with the integrity to “ask permission rather than forgiveness” in negotiating upfront deliverables such as performance and lead-time, and that is available to support questions throughout the build and product life-cycle is invaluable.
Cevians is registered per International Traffic in Arms Regulations ("ITAR," 22 CFR 120-130) for the export and temporary import of defense articles and services.
Yes, Cevians is considered a small business in accordance with the U.S. 13 CFR Part 121. The company was founded in when a team of managers acquired assets from Wamco Inc. Cevians is 100% owned by U.S. person interests.
Cevians is an ISO : ASD registered company for the design, manufacture, and service of ruggedized AMLCD displays and optical products.
Today, Cevians manufactures the vast majority of its products entirely in California, with over 90% of our products made in the United States. We also bring the benefit of exclusive partnerships for the development of strategic technologies with Japanese, Korean and Taiwanese manufacturers through relationships that have been developed over decades of collaboration since .
We own what we make. We design and manufacture our own technology and products to bring the only customized vertical integration of breakthrough optical and display solutions to market. From molecules to systems, we can customize every material and component to bring the highest performing solutions to our clients, while concurrently minimizing the acquisition cost and time to market.
Yes, for three decades we have performed molecular designs and chemistry development. These materials are unique, proprietary, and can only be obtained at Cevians. The chemistries we have developed include a portfolio of over 15 glass formulations and 30 organic chemistries with materials that are synthesized in California using advanced and complex processes.
We support tier-one OEMs with advanced technologies. This includes the production and development of custom and standardized materials and solutions and the research and development of new solutions with a path to market. Our vertically integrated solutions produce the highest quality of agile products on the micro and macro scale of design and manufacturing that can accommodate rapid, small volume products and larger, long-term productions. While Cevians possess advanced technologies and capabilities, we usually do not get involved in early-stage ventures.
Yes, our product integration process ensures that products are developed with the manufacturing volume in mind. Our equipment, supply chains, and resources are established to support scaled volume requirements which are often easier to accomplish than small volume requirements.
Yes, our engineers have decades of experience in critical aerospace applications that require certification to design assurance level (DAL) A.
Contact us to discuss your requirements of Custom Thin-film Coatings. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.
We essentially custom design and manufacture all products. While we offer a number of standard products that are broadly used in the industry, almost all of our products have been designed and manufactured for one customer and one particular application. Our team is an engineering and manufacturing capability extension to our customers’ business.
Cevians has a very long-term perspective on our product offerings. In most cases, our customers are committed to aircraft platforms that will be in service for decades. The cost to resource and requalify is extremely high and even more difficult as time passes. As a result, the company has a very long-term view in its product support offerings made possible due to Cevians’ highly vertically integrated structure.
A cevian is a line that intersects both a triangle's vertex and also the side that is opposite to that vertex. It represents our alignment and focus on achieving our goals, and a straight and direct approach to conducting business with precision, clarity, and integrity. This geometric reference is also a reflection of our technical relevance to light direction and light management.
We customize our products at the molecular level with commercially available, internally modified, or fully customized formulations. There are a number of core chemistries involved in the optical bonding processes to optimize the performance of the products for specific applications. We strategically select liquid and dry bonding materials in a number of material families, including epoxide, urethane, silicone, and acrylate.
Cevians develops AMLCDs in accordance with proven guidelines of its manufacturing partner’s capabilities. The AMLCD is designed for specific resolutions, pixel size, color, sizes, finishes, thickness, driving electronics. We design and manufacture aSi and LTPS TFT for sizes up to 24”x24” on a state-of-the-art GEN 3.5 manufacturing facility.
Cevians has pioneered high contrast display performance for decades. The company has been involved in early technology developments since CRT displays were integrated in cockpits. With persistent and groundbreaking innovation, Cevians continues to elevate performance specifications for the most advanced cockpit systems, including the F-35.
Yes, Cevians is certified ISO -:ASD for the design, manufacturing, and servicing of all of its products. Cevians’ highly vertically integrated organization guarantees products that are made in the US, with the design and manufacturing processes performed in our Montreal and Costa Mesa offices.
Cevians has a number of testing capabilities including temperature, temperature shock, humidity, salt, fog, solar radiations, and impact testing. Other tests such as electromagnetic interference, vibration, and explosive atmosphere are performed at local partners’ laboratories.
Yes, all our products satisfy the requirements of RoHs and REACH.
Yes, Cevians is primarily a custom design and manufacturing company with 90% of our products manufactured for one application and one customer. We work closely with customers to define requirements, design, validate, and qualify products. Cevians has extensive material, components, and formulation databases developed over the last 35 years that enables rapid and optimal product development.
Yes, Cevians has developed a vast number of electro-mechanical capabilities to support its Displays Business Unit. As a result, our optical products have benefited from expertise that is generally not available to other optics and thin-film coating companies. This added expertise includes mechanical engineering, system engineering, electrical engineering, hardware, and software development.
Yes, Cevians is familiar with a wide range of glass and polymeric materials. We can process your material in accordance with our inventory management procedures that identify and accounts for your material at all times.
Cevians’ NVIS products and materials are certified to MIL-STD- testing requirements. All optical testing is performed internally with high-performance equipment traceable to the U.S. National Institute of Standard and Technology.
For most requirements, the specifications are identical. MIL-STD-A continues to be used in large part due to the requirements and test method of high ambiance contrast which is not a part of MIL-STD-. MIL-STD-, however, includes new NVIS chromaticity definitions and requirements that are used in certain situations.
No. The current radiance limitations in MIL-STD- and MIL-L-A were defined at a time when display technologies were mostly emissive type (CRT and TFEL), with no energy in the black screen area, and when the number of displays was limited. In today’s cockpit environment with extended display surfaces using transmissive AMLCDs with NIR contribution in black screen area, the overall NIR contribution is increased in the cockpit and limits night vision goggle performance. BlackBackgroundTM is a more stringent NVIS radiance requirement. All BlackBackgroundTM compliant displays are NVIS compliant, however, compliance to MIL-STD- might not be BlackBackgroundTM compliant.
The military standard specifies a maximum level of radiance in order to limit the impact on night vision goggles. Specific requirements will usually identify a particular chromaticity. With goggles having sensitivity at higher wavelength including in the red portion of the visible spectrum, the sharpness of the attenuation in the red wavelengths will allow higher red content and thus provide for a more vivid red.
No. Unfortunately, while the material or components will perform to the level of compliance, the designer needs to consider several factors during product engineering. It is very common that NVIS components are integrated into a design where other materials in the assembly will fluoresce. The fluorescence phenomena follows a typical Stoke reaction where the lower wavelength energy emitted from a compliant NVIS light source is absorbed by other materials, generally plastics or paints. The chemical content of these materials will absorb that higher frequency energy and re-emit light at lower frequencies and higher wavelengths which can affect the radiance contribution.
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