Diamond Like Carbon Coating

Modern optical systems operate in environments defined by abrasion, chemical exposure, sand, salt fog, and laser threats.

Standard coatings are insufficient where survivability is mission-critical.

At the Applied Optics Center, Optex Systems applies Diamond-Like Carbon (DLC) coatings using Plasma-Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition (PECVD), delivering exceptional durability and optical performance.

What Makes DLC Different?

DLC is a carbon-based thin film engineered to provide:

Extreme surface hardness
Superior abrasion resistance
Hydrophobic and chemical resistance
Reduced reflectivity
Enhanced infrared transmission

DLC coatings are especially critical for systems operating in:

3–5µm IR band (Silicon substrates)
8–12µm IR band (Germanium substrates)

These bands are essential for thermal imaging and EO/IR sensor systems.

Mission-Critical Applications

DLC coatings support:

Military sensors
Thermal weapon sights
UAV EO/IR systems
Armored vehicle optics
Aerospace IR windows
Industrial high-temperature monitoring

By combining mechanical durability with spectral optimization, DLC ensures optical clarity and survivability in the most demanding environments.

Integrated Thin-Film Infrastructure

Optex operates a ~44,000 sq. ft. coating facility with 12 advanced coating chambers utilizing Ion-Beam Assisted Vapor Deposition (with plasma assist on select systems).

This infrastructure allows:

High-volume production
Strict lot-to-lot consistency
Controlled spectral performance
MIL-SPEC compliance

DLC at Optex is not an add-on process — it is part of a vertically integrated optical engineering ecosystem.

Diamond Like Carbon Coating

Modern optical systems operate in environments defined by abrasion, chemical exposure, sand, salt fog, and laser threats.

What Makes DLC Different?

Mission-Critical Applications

Integrated Thin-Film Infrastructure

Engineering tomorrow’s security