Sol-gel based anti-reflection coatings on wedged laser rods using a spin coater

Anti-reflection (AR) sol-gel coatings are deposited on wedge glass optics for high-power lasers using spin coating technique. Characterization of these coatings on BK-7 glass substrates is carried out in terms of thickness profile across the surface, thickness variation w.r.t. wedge angle, and its effect on AR coating reflectivity, at different wedge angles from 1° to 7°. Results of the study are used to deposit AR coatings on inclined end faces of Nd:phosphate glass laser rods.