Submicron gratings with dielectric overcoat: performance and stability

Submicron gratings show increasing potential in applied optics, often presenting attractive alternatives to thin film technology solutions. Gratings on light-weight plastic materials can replace heavy and expensive glass devices. Embossing techniques can be used for cheap mass production. The coating of gratings with thin films leads to additional degrees of freedom for component design. For practical applications, it is important not only to investigate the possibilities of such structures, but also the limiting factors such as fabrication considerations and stability properties.