What this application demands
An automotive optic has to work on the first day and on the three-thousandth. The design constraints follow from that: temperature cycling between a frozen windscreen and a sun-baked roof, continuous vibration, chemical exposure to cleaning agents and road salt, and a qualification regime that usually has to satisfy an OEM specification before production release.
Two applications dominate demand. LiDAR transmits and receives at a specific near-infrared wavelength, where a filter has to pass the return signal while rejecting the sun's background at the same wavelengths — an unusually demanding combination because the useful signal is weak relative to ambient. Head-up displays need a combiner or fold mirror that reflects the projected image without distorting the view through it.
Specifications we recommend
| Component | Typical specification | Why |
|---|---|---|
| LiDAR band-pass filters | Narrow pass band at 905 nm or 1550 nm with deep, wide blocking | Separates the weak return from strong solar background in the same band |
| Sensor cover windows | AR-coated glass, sealed to the housing, wide temperature range | Protects the sensor while surviving thermal cycling and cleaning |
| HUD combiner substrates | Flat polished substrates for the combiner and fold mirror, low wedge | Wedge and flatness errors become image distortion to the driver |
| Camera and surround optics | Hard-coated AR windows, tolerant of water, dust and UV | Exterior exposure requires a coating that does not degrade outdoors |
Failure modes we design against
Environmental degradation of the coating is the principal risk. A soft coating that performs perfectly indoors will haze, craze or lift after UV exposure combined with humidity and temperature cycling. Hard dielectric designs with verified adhesion and humidity resistance are the baseline for exterior parts, and the test sequence should be defined at the quotation stage rather than discovered during validation.
Thermal mismatch between the coating, the substrate and the housing introduces stress that shows up as either coating damage or mechanical cracking. Choosing substrate and coating so that the coefficients are compatible reduces that stress before the mechanical design has to absorb it.
Frequently asked questions
Can you supply parts qualified to an OEM standard?
We can supply the measured data, test evidence and documentation a qualification programme needs. The qualification itself rests with the tier supplier or OEM.
Are your coatings suitable for exterior exposure?
Yes, with a specified hard dielectric design and verified humidity and UV resistance. Exterior duty must be stated at the quotation stage because it changes the coating.