Project description
Understanding optical coating interfaces using acoustic waves
Advanced technologies such as space optics and high-power lasers require coatings that can withstand extreme conditions. However, coating durability is often insufficient. The ERC-funded COINED project will address this issue focusing on the interfaces within multilayer thin-film coatings. Researchers will employ structured laser pulses to generate acoustic waves and trigger second-harmonic generation, thereby enabling nanometre-level analysis of these interfaces. This method should help uncover how unintended interlayers, defects and structural changes form during manufacturing, treatment and ageing. By optimising these interfaces, COINED aims to extend the lifespan and performance of optical coatings, paving the way for breakthroughs in optics, photovoltaics and nanotechnology.
Objective
Multilayer thin-film coatings grant optical elements their specific functionality by forming a high-reflective mirror or a dichroic filter. At the same time, the coatings are the first instance to be damaged by intense laser light, corrosion, or mechanical stress. Limited coating durability is heavily influenced by interfaces: the coating – substrate interface and interfaces between layers. Despite a thorough understanding of the properties of the layers’ bulk, control over interfaces is still highly limited. The lack of convenient methods for their characterization makes facilities rely on empirical tricks, thus compromising interface quality and posing severe limitations on the cutting-edge applications of optics.
The COINED project aims to break this barrier by introducing an optical interface characterization with nanometer longitudinal resolution. Such resolution will be enabled by using a structured laser pulse as a source of complex acoustic waves in the coating. The same structured pulse will be used to induce second-harmonic generation (SHG) locally enhanced by the acoustic wave. By using a large set of complex pulses, we will be able to decipher the nonlinear response and the related interface morphology in individual interfaces of multilayer coatings.
With this unprecedented control over interfaces, the project will disclose the role of deposition processes, coating post-treatment, and aging in the formation of unintended interlayers, defects, or coating restructuring. Moreover, the ability to continuously monitor and map interfaces throughout coating tests will be the game-changing factor elucidating the processes behind interface deficiencies.
Interface optimization will open new horizons in the development of space-grade optics, increasing feasible laser power, or extending the lifetime of UV optics. The project will redefine the entire process of thin-film interface optimization with impact covering optics, photovoltaics, or nanotechnology.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- engineering and technology nanotechnology
- engineering and technology materials engineering coating and films
- natural sciences physical sciences optics laser physics
- engineering and technology environmental engineering energy and fuels renewable energy solar energy photovoltaic
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
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Topic(s)
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Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-ERC - HORIZON ERC Grants
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2024-COG
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
182 00 PRAHA 8
Czechia
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.