Abstract: A thin film optical lens and method for coating an optical substrate serves to apply alternating layers, with varying thicknesses, of a high index dielectric material and a low index dielectric material on first and second surfaces of an optical substrate. The high and low index dielectric materials are layered through thin film deposition. The low index dielectric material is SiO2. The high index dielectric material is ZrO2 and/or Indium Zinc Oxide. The spectral results from application of high and low index dielectric materials reduce infrared radiation, block HEV light transmission, and reduce backside ultraviolet reflections, while also increasing visible (ultraviolet) light transmission through the optical substrate. Thus, the layering of dielectric materials on the first surface of optical substrate reflects up to 40% of the infrared radiation; and the second surface of optical substrate transmits up to 99% of ultraviolet light in the wavelength range between 300 to 400 nanometers.

Abstract: A display device includes a display panel, a wavelength control layer disposed on the display panel, a light control member disposed on the wavelength control layer, and a cover layer disposed on the light control member. The light control member includes an inorganic layer disposed on the wavelength control layer and having a first refractive index, a first light control layer disposed on the inorganic layer and having a second refractive index, a second light control layer disposed on the first light control layer and having a third refractive index, and a color filter layer disposed on the second light control layer. The first refractive index is greater than the second refractive index and is less than a refractive index of the wavelength control layer, and the third refractive index is greater than the second refractive index and is less than a refractive index of the color filter layer.

Abstract: Radically polymerizable material, which contains (a) 0.01 to 5 wt.-% of at least one transfer reagent, (b) 5 to 60 wt.-% of at least one multifunctional (meth)acrylate or a mixture of mono- and multifunctional (meth)acrylates, (c) 0.01 to 3.0 wt.-% of a mixture of at least one monomolecular and at least one bimolecular photoinitiator, (d) 30 to 90 wt.-% of at least one filler, and (e) optionally additive(s), wherein the material contains as transfer reagent (a) at least one allyl sulfone of Formula I and/or a vinyl sulfone ester of Formula II.

Abstract: Shaped glasses have curved surface lenses with spectrally complementary filters disposed thereon. The filters curved surface lenses are configured to compensate for wavelength shifts occurring due to viewing angles and other sources. Complementary images are projected for viewing through projection filters having passbands that pre-shift to compensate for subsequent wavelength shifts. At least one filter may have more than 3 primary passbands. For example, two filters include a first filter having passbands of low blue, high blue, low green, high green, and red, and a second filter having passbands of blue, green, and red. The additional passbands may be utilized to more closely match a color space and white point of a projector in which the filters are used. The shaped glasses and projection filters together may be utilized as a system for projecting and viewing 3D images.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical lens (10) for a photodiode-equipped device, which is arrangeable at and/or in the photodiode-equipped device in such a way that light beams (14) emitted by at least two photodiodes of the photodiode-equipped device transmit into the optical lens (10) through a light entrance side (S1) of the optical lens (10) and emerge from the optical lens (10) at a light exit side (S2) of the optical lens (10), and for which a central longitudinal axis (16) extending centrally through the light entrance side (S1) and centrally through the light exit side (S2) is definable, wherein the light entrance side (S1) of the optical lens (10) and the light exit side (S2) of the optical lens (10) are embodied in each case as a freeform surface for off-axis projection in such a way that the light beams (14) emitted by the photodiodes (32) arranged on a circular path around the central longitudinal axis (16) are focused off-axis by means of the optical lens (10).

Abstract: Embodiments of durable, anti-reflective articles are described. In one or more embodiments, the article includes a substrate and an anti-reflective coating disposed on the major surface. The article exhibits an average light transmittance of about 94% or greater over an optical wavelength regime and/or an average light reflectance of about 2% or less over the optical wavelength regime, as measured from an anti-reflective surface. In some embodiments, the article exhibits a maximum hardness of about 8 GPa or greater as measured by a Berkovich Indenter Hardness Test along an indentation depth of about 50 nm or greater and a b* value, in reflectance, in the range from about ?5 to about 1 as measured on the anti-reflective surface only at all incidence illumination angles in the range from about 0 degrees to about 60 degrees under an International Commission on Illumination illuminant.

Abstract: A vehicle headlight includes a low beam light module and a appearance light module, which are embodied, arranged and designed such that, in a low beam mode, less than 30% of the light intensity emitted by the vehicle headlight with respect to a vertical orientation above the light-shadow line and with respect to the horizontal orientation in the direction of travel, is generated by the low beam light module.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to an extraction structure for a UV lighting element. The present invention also relates to a UV lamp comprising such an extraction structure onto a substrate. The extraction structure comprises a plurality of nanostructures for anti-reflecting purposes. The nanostructures are grown on the top surface of at least one of the first and second side of the substrate.

Abstract: A multi-layered intelligent display system includes a first LCD display panel; a second OLED display panel; a smart panel disposed behind the second display panel; an LED panel disposed between the second display panel and the smart panel; a sensor for detecting the ambient light behind the smart panel and activating the LED panel if the ambient light is below a predetermined illuminance; a memory having programming instructions stored thereon; and a controller in communication with the first and second display panels, the smart panel, and the memory. The multi-layered intelligent glass display is operable in each of a display mode, a multilayer display mode, and a transparent mode.

Abstract: Shaped glasses have curved surface lenses with spectrally complementary filters disposed thereon. The filters curved surface lenses are configured to compensate for wavelength shifts occurring due to viewing angles and other sources. Complementary images are projected for viewing through projection filters having passbands that pre-shift to compensate for subsequent wavelength shifts. At least one filter may have more than 3 primary passbands. For example, two filters include a first filter having passbands of low blue, high blue, low green, high green, and red, and a second filter having passbands of blue, green, and red. The additional passbands may be utilized to more closely match a color space and white point of a projector in which the filters are used. The shaped glasses and projection filters together may be utilized as a system for projecting and viewing 3D images.

Abstract: Embodiments of articles including a low-contrast anti-reflection coating are disclosed. The coated surface of such articles exhibits a reduced difference in reflectance between a pristine state and when a surface defect is present. In one or more embodiments, the coated surface of such articles exhibits a first average reflectance in the range from about 0.6% to about 6.0% in a pristine condition and a second average reflectance of about 8% or less after removal of a surface thickness of the anti-reflection coating. In other embodiments, the coated substrate exhibits a second average reflectance of about 10% or less, when the coated surface comprises a contaminant. In some embodiments, the coated substrate exhibits a first color coordinate (a*1, b*1) in a pristine condition and a second color coordinate (a*2, b*2) after the presence of a surface defect such that ?a*b* is about 6 or less.

Abstract: Products, such as branding labels and currency, fabricated to include an optical security element. The optical security assembly may include a carrier film or substrate. An image element, e.g., a printed ink layer, is provided on a first surface of the carrier film/substrate, and the optical security assembly further includes an array or plurality of micro lenses on a second surface of the carrier film/substrate opposite the image element. In order to make the registration and print requirements easier, a mask is provided between the printed ink layer to define color pixels, and the printed ink layer is provided in the form of color blocks in a checkboard pattern with each block aligned with a portion of the mask and a subset of the holes or openings that define the viewable color pixels.

Abstract: An anti-reflective coating system configured to resist crazing resulting from applied compressive forces, and an optical article employing the anti-reflective coating system; and methods of forming the same.

Abstract: Products, such as branding labels, credit cards, and currency, that are fabricated so as to include an optical security element, which is designed to provide enhanced optical focusing onto each color used in the printed image (or in the ink layer). The optical security assembly may include a carrier film or substrate. An image element, e.g., a printed ink layer, is provided on a first surface of the carrier film/substrate, and the optical security assembly further includes an array or plurality of micro lenses on a second surface of the carrier film/substrate opposite the image element (when the substrate/carrier film is transparent). In order to make the registration and print requirements easier, pixels are isolated into sections of the printed ink layer, which can then be arranged to align with sets of lenses (i.e., each set/group of lenses may be dedicated to focusing upon a particular color of ink).

Abstract: There is provided a polymerizable composition for optical materials including (A) at least one kind of polythiols selected from 5,7-dimercaptomethyl-1,11-dimercapto-3,6,9-trithiaundecane, 4,7-dimercaptomethyl-1,11-dimercapto-3,6,9-trithiaundecane, and 4,8-dimercaptomethyl-1,11-dimercapto-3,6,9-trithiaundecane, (B) polyisocyanate, and (C) at least one kind of ultraviolet absorbers having a maximum absorption peak in a range of 350 nm to 370 nm.

Abstract: A zoom lens includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens unit having positive refractive power, a second lens unit having negative refractive power, a third lens unit having positive refractive power, a fourth lens unit having negative refractive power, and a rear group that includes one or more lenses and has positive refractive power. In the zoom lens, a distance between lens units arranged next to each other changes during zooming. At least one of the lens units provided on the image side of the third lens unit includes a resin lens having positive refractive power and a resin lens having negative refractive power. A material of the resin lens having positive refractive power and a material of the resin lens having negative refractive power are set appropriately.

Abstract: Provided is an anti-reflection film, which is formed on substrate, the anti-reflection film having a laminated layer structure including, in order from the substrate: a first layer to a sixth layer each formed of a dielectric thin film; and a seventh layer formed by a wet process, in which the first to the sixth layers are formed of three kinds of mediums having different refractive indices from one another, and in which, when refractive indices of the three kinds of mediums at wavelength of 550 nm are defined as nL, nM, and nH, the first layer is formed of a medium having nM, the sixth layer is formed of a medium having nH, a layer formed of a medium having nL and a layer formed of a medium having off are spaced away from each other, and nL, nM, and nH are appropriately set.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a component for use in a watch includes a step of depositing a first thin film on a wafer wherein the first thin film is adapted to allow light reflected away from the wafer to be indicative of a first color characteristic. The step of depositing the first thin film is performed by using a plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition process or a low pressure chemical vapor deposition process. The method may further include a step of fabricating a second color characteristic, including defining a pattern on the first thin film using photolithography, and, processing a region within a boundary of the pattern so that the region is adapted to allow light reflected away from the wafer to be indicative of the second color characteristic. The step of processing the region within the boundary of the pattern includes depositing a metal or a ceramic material within the boundary of the pattern which is indicative of the second color characteristic.

Abstract: Disclosed are an optical member and a display device including the same. The optical member includes a wavelength conversion layer to convert a wavelength of an incident light, and an impact absorbing layer on the wavelength conversion layer.

Abstract: A zoom lens includes, in order from an object side along an optical axis, a first lens group G1 having positive refractive power, a second lens group G2 having negative refractive power, and a third lens group G3 having positive refractive power. Upon zooming from a wide-angle end state W to a telephoto end state T, a distance between the first lens group G1 and the second lens group G2 increases, and a distance between the second lens group G2 and the third lens group G3 decreases. Given conditions are satisfied. Accordingly, a zoom lens having high optical performance with suppressing variations in aberrations, an optical apparatus equipped therewith, and a method for manufacturing the zoom lens are provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of applying an anti-reflective coating to an optical surface of a mold. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of providing a lens mold having an optical surface; forming a layer of a super hydrophobic material over the optical surface, wherein the super hydrophobic material contains an amount of dipodal silane that is a relative percentage of the super hydrophobic material; forming an anti-reflective coating layered structure over the layer of the super hydrophobic material; and forming a layer of a coupling agent deposited with a monolayer thickness to the anti-reflective coating layered structure using vapor deposition under aprotic conditions or by dip coating or spin coating using a solution of a coupling agent in an aprotic solvent.

Abstract: An optical article having anti-fogging properties is disclosed. The optical article includes an anti-reflecting coating having anti-fogging properties even when the optical articles are provided with an anti-soiling top coat layer. The optical article may particularly find use in ophthalmic lenses, including eyeglass lenses.

Abstract: Disclosed is an optical element for use in an optical apparatus having a light source which emits a light flux with a wavelength ? (350 nm???450 nm), the optical element containing: a molded portion formed by molding a resin; and one or a plurality of anti-reflection layers formed on the molded portion, wherein at least one of the anti-reflection layers is made of SixOy; and an elemental ratio r (r=y/x) designating an ratio of O to Si in the molecule of SixOy satisfies a requirement represented by Formula (1): 1.40?r?1.80.

Abstract: Disclosed is a tabular member that has an excellent low reflectivity and that can reduce coloring due to reflected light. In at least one example embodiment, specifically disclosed is a tabular member which comprises a base, a first antireflective film disposed on a surface of the base, and a second antireflective film disposed on the other surface of the base. The first and second antireflective films each have a plurality of projections on the surface thereof, and the distances between the apexes of two adjacent projections are shorter than or equal to the wavelength of visible light. The light obtained by combining the light reflected from the surface of the first antireflective film and the light reflected from the surface of the second antireflective film together has flat wavelength dispersion within the range of visible light.

Abstract: A transparent conductive element is provided and includes a conductive layer having a first surface and a second surface and a medium layer formed on at least one of the first surface and the second surface. In the transparent conductive element, at least one of the first surface and the second surface is a wave surface with a wavelength shorter than or equal to that of visible light; the ratio (Am/?m) of a mean peak-to-peak amplitude Am to a mean wavelength ?m of the wave surface is 1.8 or less. The mean thickness Dm of the conductive layer is larger than the mean peak-to-peak amplitude Am of the wave surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of applying an anti-reflective coating to an optical surface of a mold. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of: providing a lens mold having an optical surface; forming a layer of a super hydrophobic material with a thickness of about 30 to 40 nm over the optical surface, wherein the super hydrophobic material contains dipodal silane; forming an anti-reflective coating layered structure over the layer of the super hydrophobic material; and forming a layer of a cyclic azasilane coupling agent that is deposited with a monolayer thickness to the anti-reflective coating layered structure using vapor deposition or by dip coating using a solution of cyclic azasilane coupling agent in an aprotic solvent.

Abstract: An optical element includes an optical member made of a material that transmits light; a high refractive index layer and a low refractive index layer that are stacked on a front surface of the optical member; and a surface protection layer that is formed on an upper most layer among the high refractive index layer and the low refractive index layer, the surface protection layer being made of a material including one of a mixed oxide of Si and Sn, a mixed oxide of Si and Zr, and a mixed oxide of Si and Al, and the refraction index of the surface protection layer being less than or equal to the refraction index of the high refractive index layer and greater than or equal to the refraction index of the low refractive index layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical lens having a lens element produced of plastic, more particularly of plastic which is transparent in a visible spectral range, and having a coating comprising a plurality of layers, the plurality of layers comprising at least one high-refractive-index layer. Furthermore, a hardcoat layer is formed adjacent to the lens element, and a superhydrophobic layer concludes the coating in opposition to the lens element. The at least one high-refractive-index layer has a thickness of less than 40 nm, and the coating overall has a thickness of more than about 380 nm.

Abstract: An optical component for an optical pick-up for converging a laser beam having a particular wavelength onto a recording layer of an optical disc. The optical component comprises a base material formed of a resin composition, an undercoating which is formed of three layers of thin films having a same main constituent and is formed on a top surface of the base material, and a functional thin film formed on a top surface of the undercoating. In this configuration, each of a first layer and a third layer of the undercoating is a thin film formed without introducing oxygen, and a second layer is a thin film formed while introducing oxygen. A film thickness of the undercoating falls within a range of 160 nm to 270 nm, and film thicknesses of the thin films constituting the undercoating are substantially equal to each other.

Abstract: An anti-reflection coating having an three-layer structure comprising first to third layers formed in this order on a substrate, the substrate having a refractive index of 1.6-1.9, the first layer having a refractive index of 1.37-1.57, the second layer having a refractive index of 1.75-2.5, and the third layer having a refractive index of 1.18-1.32, to light in a wavelength range of 550 nm; the third layer being formed by silica aerogel; and the first and second layers containing no Al2O3.

Abstract: The invention discloses a lens, which comprises an outer surface and an inner surface, wherein a pattern outline is printed on the outer surface; and an argon gas layer, a high refractive index layer, a lower refractive index layer and a waterproof layer are evaporated at an area, outside the pattern outline, of the outer surface from inside to outside in turn. By adoption of clear patterns formed on the outer surface by the manufacturing processes and a four-layer vacuum electroplating film evaporated at an area, outside the pattern outline, of the outer surface, the coating does not block the sight and the lens is more beautiful and has the functions of radiation resistance and ultraviolet resistance. The invention also discloses a pattern printing and vacuum electroplating method which has simple and efficient processes and realizes the functions of the coated lens.

Abstract: An optical product includes an optical multilayer film on an optical product base. A color of reflected light of the optical multilayer film satisfies both of the following conditions in a chromaticity diagram (x,y,Y) of a CIE color system: [1] 0.27?x?0.30 and [2] 0.30?y?0.36. The optical product base is a spectacle plastic lens base.

Abstract: A lens includes a substrate and an infrared-cut (IR-cut) filtering film. The substrate is made of sapphire, is configured for converging or diffusing light rays and includes an object-side surface and an image-side surface opposite to the object-side surface. The IR-cut filtering film increases the reflectivity of the substrate in relation to infrared light, and is coated on the image-side surface of the substrate.

Abstract: An optical lens made of resin, which includes a molded body made of a molding material containing a transparent polyamide such as polyamide 12 and a stabilizer, which has total light transmittance of at least 60% when the molded body has a thickness of 2 mm, and has total light transmittance of at least 50% after the molded body maintained at 80° C. was irradiated with light in an amount of 1000 W/m2 for 500 hours by using a xenon lamp, which is lightweight, highly transparent, and resistant to discoloration, deformation, aging, and the like due to irradiation with light emitted from a xenon lamp, a blue-violet laser or the like serving as a light source, and which is suitable for use in a light emitting device of a flash lamp and the like, is provided.

Abstract: An optical device is provided including plural structures formed of a convex portion or a concave portion are arranged on the surface of a base member with a fine pitch equal to or less than the wavelength of visible light. The structures are arranged on the surface of the base member to form plural lines of tracks and form a hexagonal lattice pattern or a quasi-hexagonal lattice pattern. Each structure has an elliptical cone shape or a truncated elliptical cone shape of which the long-axis direction is parallel to the track extending direction.

Abstract: An optical member includes a substoichiometric titanium oxide film formed by depositing substoichiometric titanium oxides in a vacuum chamber into which an oxygen gas for adjusting a vacuum is introduced. In the optical member, the film forming pressure p (Pa) in the vacuum chamber and the optical film thickness (a refractive index of 2.50, a wavelength of 500 nm) of the substoichiometric titanium oxide film have relations of (1) p?0.005, (2) optical film thickness ?0.500?, and (3) optical film thickness ?(0.001exp(905.73p)?0.050)? where exp is an exponential function with e as the base of the natural logarithm.

Abstract: An optical mirror element includes an optically transmissive element having a first surface and a second surface, and a reflective coating layer on the first surface that defines a mirror surface. A first portion of the first surface does not include the reflective coating layer such that the first portion defines an optically transmissive window in the mirror surface. Q method of forming an optical mirror element having a window portion includes providing an optical element, masking a first portion of a first surface of the optical element, and thereafter applying a reflective coating to the first surface so as to define a reflective surface, wherein the masked portion defines a transmissive region in the reflective surface. The exposed portion of the first surface may be coated with an anti-reflective coating, either before or after the reflective coating is applied.

Abstract: An optical laminated body includes: a dielectric layer having a surface exposed to air; a metallic layer that has an interface with the dielectric layer, and contains at least Ag; and a laminated body that has an interface with the metallic layer and includes one or more low-refractive-index layers and one or more high-refractive-index layers, wherein a reflectance in a wavelength region of 460 to 650 nm is 0.1% or less.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of applying an anti-reflective coating to an optical surface of a mold. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of providing a lens mold having an optical surface; forming a layer of a super hydrophobic material over the optical surface, wherein the super hydrophobic material contains an amount of dipodal silane that is a relative percentage of the super hydrophobic material; forming an anti-reflective coating layered structure over the layer of the super hydrophobic material; and forming a layer of a coupling agent deposited with a monolayer thickness to the anti-reflective coating layered structure using vapor deposition under aprotic conditions or by dip coating or spin coating using a solution of a coupling agent in an aprotic solvent.

Abstract: An optical element includes a base and a large number of structures arranged on the surface of the base, the structures being projections or depressions. The structures are arranged at a pitch shorter than or equal to a wavelength of light in a use environment. An effective refractive index in the depth direction of the structures gradually increases toward the base and has two or more inflection points.

Abstract: An optical element includes an optical surface formed by a press molding method, wherein a ray effective portion of the optical surface has formed thereon an antireflection structure including a minute uneven structure, which contains a component different from that of a base of the optical element and has an average pitch of 400 nm or less.

Abstract: An optical mirror element includes an optically transmissive element having a first surface and a second surface, and a reflective coating layer on the first surface that defines a mirror surface. A first portion of the first surface does not include the reflective coating layer such that the first portion defines an optically transmissive window in the mirror surface. Q method of forming an optical mirror element having a window portion includes providing an optical element, masking a first portion of a first surface of the optical element, and thereafter applying a reflective coating to the first surface so as to define a reflective surface, wherein the masked portion defines a transmissive region in the reflective surface. The exposed portion of the first surface may be coated with an anti-reflective coating, either before or after the reflective coating is applied.

Abstract: Retroreflective elements and articles that include such elements. The retroreflective elements (100) include a solid spherical core (110) having an outer surface. A first complete concentric optical interference layer (112) overlays the outer surface of the core providing a first interface between the core and the first optical interference layer, and a second complete concentric optical interference layer (122) overlays the first optical interference layer to provide a second interface between the first optical interference layer and the second optical interference layer. In some embodiments, a third complete concentric optical interference layer overlays the second optical interference layer to provide a third interface between the second optical interference layer and the third optical interference layer.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a multi-layer fluoropolymeric film that is useful as a light capture front sheet in solar modules, and more broadly as an antireflection layer. The present invention further discloses a glass shaped article having a multi-layer fluoropolymeric film disposed upon the surface thereof. The shaped article is useful in applications where it is desirable to reduce reflection of incident light.

Abstract: An optical element includes a substrate, and an antireflection film provided on a surface of the substrate. The antireflection film is a graded layer having a refractive index that is progressively decreased from the substrate side towards an outer surface of the antireflection film. The graded layer has a reflectivity characteristic occupying ? of a usable wavelength range around the center of the usable wavelength range. Reflectivity of the graded layer at a maximum value of the reflectivity characteristic is a peak value equal to or less than 0.4% The graded layer does not have a maximal value not corresponding to the peak value. At least one of reflectivities at both ends of the usable wavelength range is equal to or less than half the reflectivity at the peak value.

Abstract: A disclosed objective lens includes: a lens having an entrance surface and an emission surface; and an anti-reflection coat formed on the emission surface, wherein a transmittance T1—0 [%] of the anti-reflection coat when an incident angle of a first laser beam having a first wavelength ?1 (390 nm??1?430 nm) is 0°, and the transmittance T1—40 [%] of the anti-reflection coat when the incident angle of the first laser beam is 40° satisfy 0.95?T1—0/T1—40?1.05, and a transmittance T2—0 [%] of the anti-reflection coat when an incident angle of a second laser beam having a second wavelength ?2 (630 nm??2?680 nm) is 0° and a transmittance T2—40 [%] of the anti-reflection coat when the incident angle of the second laser beam is 40° satisfy 0.85?T2—0/T2—40?0.97.

Abstract: An optical lens includes a lens body and an anti-reflection film. The lens body includes an optically effective portion and a peripheral portion surrounding the optically effective portion. The optically effective portion is configured for transmitting light therethrough. The optically effective portion has a first surface and an opposite second surface. The first and second surfaces each have a curvature of greater than zero. The anti-reflection film is formed on the first surface of the optically effective portion. A reflectivity of the anti-reflection film to light rays has wavelengths in a range from about 400 nm to about 850 nm being lower than 2%.

Abstract: An antireflection film is provided in which a light scattering property is suppressed. In at least one example embodiment, the antireflection film includes, on a surface thereof, a moth-eye structure including a plurality of convex portions such that a width between vertices of adjacent convex portions is no greater than a wavelength of visible light. In at least one example embodiment of this antireflection film, the moth-eye structure does not include a sticking structure formed when tip end portions of the convex portions are joined to each other.

Abstract: An optical component emits or transmits laser light of a wavelength of 460 nm or less, and a first coating formed from a dielectric film is applied upon at least a part of the surface thereof, and a second coating B formed from a dielectric film containing a noble metal or platinum group element is applied upon the first coating.

Abstract: A very low energy-absorption coating and related methods for use with high power CO2 lasers includes at least a thin layer of ThF4 (16) used as a water/moisture barrier, in combination with BaF2 (14), for various optical elements. When used in connection with a ZnSe substrate (12) or any other suitable material (such as for a focusing lens), the coating (10) extends the useful life by helping prevent moisture adsorption that otherwise may occur within 2-3 days of contact with air. The coating (10) may comprise (1) a BaF2 layer (14) of approximately optical quarter wave thickness, (2) a thin 200-300 Angstrom layer of ThF4 (16) used as a water barrier (3) a thin 1000-2000 Angstrom layer of ZnSe (18), and (4) an optional ZnSe layer (20) of optical half wave thickness. Among other applications, the coating (10) provides very low energy absorption for a 10.6 um CO2 laser at a value<0.15%, and provides longer lifetimes as compared to conventional coated lenses without the combination of BaF2 (14) and ThF4 (16).