Introduction of plastic optical components and their uses

Plastic optics (or polymer/organic optics), which have traditionally been used in low-end, disposable, non-imaging consumer applications, have seen significant improvements in performance and durability and are entering non-traditional industrial, automotive and pharmaceutical industries. These new applications present challenges not only to the plastic optical components themselves, but also to the optical coatings attached to them. A coating expert in the industry once pointed out: "Without optical coatings, almost all modern optical applications or systems will fail."
 
Currently, the industry is developing and commercializing optical coatings for digital cameras, barcode scanners, fiber optic sensors and communication networks, and biometric security systems. With the growing market preference for low-cost, high-performance plastic optical components, several new coating technologies have emerged to meet new application requirements.
Why choose plastic optics?
 
Plastic optics are 2 to 5 times lighter than glass optics, making them more suitable for use in night vision helmets, field portable imaging applications, and reusable or disposable medical devices such as laparoscopes . In addition, since the plastic optical element can be molded according to the installation requirements, the assembly steps can be greatly reduced, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.
 
Plastic optics can be used in most visible light applications. For other NUV and NIR applications, transmission wavelength range for commonly used materials such as acrylic (excellent clarity), polycarbonate (best impact strength) and cycloolefins (high heat resistance and durability, low water absorption) 380~100nm). Coatings are added to the surface of plastic optical components in order to improve their transmission or reflection performance and increase durability.