Description:
<jats:p>Optical coatings based on ultrathin highly absorbing dielectrics on metals are attractive because of the considerable reduction of their thickness compared to conventional dielectric coatings. We demonstrate that the underlying material of these optical coatings is not limited only to metals as assumed previously. Instead, it can be replaced by any material if several layers are used such that the effective optical constant resembles that of a highly reflective metal. Consequently, the optical properties are tunable by the choice of material, the number of layers, and the layer thickness and are hence more adaptable to the potential application.</jats:p>