Interference systems of controllable mirrors based on vanadium dioxide forthe spectral range 0.6-10.6 mu m

This paper discusses the construction principles of thin-film interference systems for mirrors based on vanadium dioxide, intended to control laser ra diation in the visible, near-IR and mid-IR regions. It shows that the featu res of the optical parameters of vanadium dioxide affect the optical charac teristics of the mirrors in various sections of the spectrum. Specific inte rference systems of controllable VO2 mirrors are proposed for a number of w avelengths in the spectral interval 0.6-10.6 mu m, and calculated character istics are presented that make it possible to estimate the efficiency of us ing each interference system in a given spectral interval. (C) 1999 The Opt ical Society of America.