An optical coating is made of a combination of thin layers of materials such as metals, oxides, or rare earth materials. The performance of an optical coating depends on the number of layers, their thickness, and the refractive index difference between them. Optical coatings are deposited using specific deposition techniques. In simple terms, an optical coating is a combination of one or more thin layers of material that affect how light interacts with a certain optical component. Optical coatings are being used in many applications, such as military and defense, telecommunication, medical, automotive, architecture solar panels, and consumer electronics.

The evolution of the display and electronics industries and the ever-growing need for advanced and cutting-edge coatings are key factors driving advancements in many optical coating technologies. Where some industries require clear coatings, other industries require specialized optical coatings that can efficiently transfer energy. While a few companies have developed coating systems which can reduce the need for surface roughness, others have succeeded at increasing the amount of light which travels through an applied coating. This increased light transmission ability has led to the development of a wide variety of coatings, which offer a range of capabilities.