Preliminary results from first large-area ion beam deposition system in the UK

Ion beam deposition (IBD) is one of the leading techniques to produce high-quality optical coatings. This process has been shown to provide materials with low optical absorption and low mechanical loss suitable for use in ultrastable optical cavities such as gravitational-wave detectors and optical clocks. Recently, the Extreme Performance Optical Coatings testbed (hosted within the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland – NMIS) established by the Universities of Strathclyde, Glasgow, and West of Scotland and two industrial partners (Gooch and Housego Ltd and Helia Photonics Ltc) has incorporated a unique IBD system capable of coating up to two 620 mm diameter optics with strict uniformity requirements. In this work, we present preliminary results from the initial tests of deposition of thin films showing the optical characteristics of the materials and the high uniformity achieved by this system. This capability will enable the support for research and technological advances for large-area high-quality IBD coatings relevant to third generation gravitational-wave detectors, quantum technologies, space applications, intense light-matter interaction experiments, and beyond.