Since 1958, Sterling Precision has been at the forefront of the optical coatings industry, providing innovative solutions that enhance the performance of optical components across various industries. Based in Evanston, Illinois, Sterling Precision specializes in the manufacture of custom optical coatings designed to meet the specific needs of our clients, ensuring that each product achieves the highest levels of optical efficiency and durability.

What Are Custom Optical Coatings?

Custom optical coatings are specialized thin layers of material applied to the surface of optical components such as lenses, mirrors, windows, and filters. These coatings are engineered to manipulate the way light interacts with the component, improving its performance by controlling reflection, transmission, absorption, or polarization. By customizing these coatings to meet specific wavelength and environmental requirements, Sterling Precision offers unparalleled solutions for industries such as aerospace, defense, telecommunications, and medical imaging.

Types of Custom Optical Coatings

At Sterling Precision, we provide a wide range of optical coatings tailored to your application:

1. Anti-Reflective (AR) Coatings
   Designed to reduce reflections and increase the transmission of light through optical components, AR coatings are essential for minimizing glare and enhancing the clarity of imaging systems, camera lenses, and display screens.
2. High-Reflective (HR) Coatings
   These coatings are used to maximize reflection at specific wavelengths, making them ideal for mirrors and laser optics that require high reflectivity to ensure system efficiency and performance.
3. Beam Splitter Coatings
   Our custom beam splitter coatings are engineered to divide light beams by reflecting part of the light while transmitting the remainder. These are crucial in applications like interferometry, microscopy, and optical communication systems.
4. Optical Filter Coatings
   Sterling Precision’s filter coatings selectively transmit or block certain wavelengths of light, making them indispensable in fields such as photography, laser systems, and spectrometry.
5. Protective Coatings
   To ensure the longevity and resilience of your optical components, we offer protective coatings that shield optical surfaces from environmental hazards such as moisture, chemicals, and physical abrasion.

Industry-Leading Deposition Techniques

Sterling Precision employs advanced deposition techniques like physical vapor deposition (PVD) and chemical vapor deposition (CVD) to apply precise and uniform optical coatings. These state-of-the-art processes ensure that our coatings meet the stringent demands of high-performance optical systems while maintaining exceptional durability.

Unmatched Expertise and Quality

At Sterling Precision, we understand that no two applications are alike. That’s why our team of experts works closely with clients to design and manufacture custom optical coatings that deliver superior performance. With over six decades of experience and a commitment to excellence, we are proud to be a trusted supplier to the U.S. Government, as well as leading contractors across multiple industries.

Sterling Precision is equipped to handle both large-scale production and specialized small-batch orders, providing flexibility, quality, and reliability for every project. Whether you need AR coatings for consumer electronics, HR coatings for laser mirrors, or complex multi-layer coatings for scientific instrumentation, Sterling Precision is your go-to partner for all custom optical coating needs.

Contact Us

If you’re looking for high-quality custom optical coatings tailored to your specific application, look no further than Sterling Precision. Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can meet your optical coating requirements.