Coating and Filter Technology
To fully derive a lens performance in accordance to various purposes, an optimal coating needs to be applied in addition to optical lens design technology.
By applying a coating on the lens surface various effects and functions can be achieved such as optical performance enhancement and surface protection.
Tamron conducts lens and coating development for various applications, for instance, surface protection for photographic lens, durability enhancement for automotive camera, and surveillance camera.
Moreover, Tamron is holding a uniform coating technology for wide curved surfaces on wide-angle or fish-eye lenses. Recently, to achieve a coating technology suitable new fields, Tamron is developing a filter/coating technology capable of precisely transmitting a specific wavelength for medical or fluorescence imaging with laser.
Thin film optical filter (Notch Filter)
High optical density (shielding performance)
A notch filter is an optical filter that rejects the transmission of wavelength within a specific range and has a high transmittance outside of that range. Performance is evaluated based on blocking and transmittance rates.
Tamron’s notch filter achieves OD 6 blocking within a specific wavelength range from visible to NIR. Notch filters are widely used in various fields, such as raman spectroscopy, fluorescence observation device in bioscience field and fluorescence imaging device in medical.
Tamron can propose a comprehensive optical system utilizing the feature of notch filter.
Technical features
-
FEATURE 1
Capable of a high blocking level within a specific wavelength from visible to NIR.
-
FEATURE 2
OD6 blocking performance.
-
FEATURE 3
Propose a comprehensive optical system utilizing the feature of notch filter.
Technology intro video
Examples of applications
-
Raman spectroscopy
Device for analysis of lithium ion battery, electronic component, food and medicine, etc.
※Click on the image to enlarge
-
Fluorescence observation device
Device for observing cell and protein in bioscience field
※Click on the image to enlarge
-
Fluorescence imaging device
Camera supporting fluorescence guided surgery
※The photo is for illustrative purposes only.
eBAND Coating
Wide band anti-reflection coating (from visible light to SWIR light range)
- eBAND Coating (Extended Bandwidth & Angular-Dependency Coating)
- VIS (Visible)
- NIR (Near infrared)
- SWIR (Short wavelength infrared)
Anti-reflection coating with a wide band and a high transmittance is demanded for lenses which are used for surveillance, measurement and inspection applications required for imaging with accuracy and precision.
Tamron’s eBAND Coating, compared to the conventional multiple-layer coatings, has greatly enhanced anti-reflection performance and has achieved a higher transmittance performance in the wide range from visible to SWIR.
Utilizing Tamron’s eBAND Coating improves measurement accuracy of measuring equipment and inspection apparatus.
Furthermore, the eBAND Coating makes it possible to reduce the effects of ghosting and flare generated by disturbance of light. The eBAND Coating is adaptable in various materials and shapes such as prism, lens array and small diameter lens and therefore expands the possibility of applications.
Technical features
-
FEATURE 1
High transmittance performance in the range from 400 to 1700 nm
-
FEATURE 2
Anti-reflection coating to reduce ghosting and flare generated from an intense incident light
-
FEATURE 3
Various materials and shapes available such as prism, lens array and small diameter lens
Technology intro video
Examples of applications
-
Vein imaging
Authenticating camera by transmitting NIR for imaging finger veins and palm veins patterns
-
Inspection (Spectroscope)
SWIR camera for food analysis, moisture measurement, and component analysis, etc.
-
Inspection (Contamination inspection)
Inspection camera for foreign matter and food freshness in assembly line and food factory, etc.
-
Outdoor camera
Monitoring camera for surveillance, river condition and vehicle number recognition, etc.
-
Remote sensing
Spectrum camera installed in satellite and drone
※The photo is for illustrative purposes only.
Fluorine Coating
Wiping durability enhancement
Lenses used in optical devices often touched by people or installed in devices facing adverse conditions need to be cleaned by wiping with a solvent. With repeated cleaning like this, coatings applied to the lens, such as an anti-reflection coating, will wear-off. Fluorine coating is the solution so that dust, moisture, oil (sebum) on the lens surface can be easily removed.
Tamron’s fluorine coating is a high water repellent and antifouling, while also achieving anti-reflection. Tamron delivers a lens with wiping durability enhancement that saves on maintenance and can be used in products for a wide variety of usages.
Technical features
-
FEATURE 1
Maintain optical performance with low reflection while keeping high water repellency and antifouling
-
FEATURE 2
Durability enhancement for a wide variety of usage
-
FEATURE 3
Enhance the redundancy of adverse condition protection by combining fluorine coating and lens waterproof mechanism
Technology intro video
Examples of applications
-
Monitoring an unattended work environment outside (Adverse condition scene: dust, dirt, oil, water or moisture)
-
Imaging device with various robots as a substitute for human eyes
-
Optical device used by the public needs cleaning
※The photo is for illustrative purposes only.
Technical information to be released
In addition to the technologies introduced here,
Tamron leverages various technologies for product development and to contribute to society.
In the future, Tamron plans to release the following technical information.
-
TECHNOLOGY 1
Anti-reflection coating for convex surfaces (AX coating)*
*AX coating: Anti-reflection eXpand coatingA coating technology that makes uniform vacuum deposition thickness at the peripheral areas and central areas even on a convex surface
-
TECHNOLOGY 2
Highly durable anti-reflection coating for plastic lens
An anti-reflective coating technology for plastic lenses that offers improved anti-reflection performance and higher coating durability