ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Optical coating

Now listen up kiddo, do you know when you look at a mirror and see yourself? That's because of the coating on the mirror that reflects the light back to you. Optical coating is a special material that is put on different surfaces to change how they interact with light.

Think of it like painting a picture, only instead of using colors, we use different chemicals that make the surface act a certain way with light. When light hits different surfaces, it can be absorbed, reflected, or refracted. The optical coating helps to control this interaction, making the surfaces more effective at letting light pass through or reflecting it back.

For example, let's say we want to make a pair of glasses that protect our eyes from harmful UV rays. We can put a special coating on the lenses that will absorb the UV light and prevent it from reaching our delicate eyes. This is why you see some glasses that look darker or have a tint to them.

Another example is when we want to make a camera lens. We can put a coating on the lens that will reduce the reflection and glare, allowing more light to pass through to capture the perfect picture.

Basically, optical coating is like adding special ingredients to a recipe to make it work better. It helps us control the amount of light that is absorbed, reflected, or refracted, making the surfaces more effective for different tasks.