Antirefleksjon

Antirefleksjon is a Norwegian term that translates literally to “anti‑reflection” and is primarily used in the field of optics. The concept refers to the deliberate reduction of light that is reflected from a surface, thereby increasing the amount of light that is transmitted through or accommodated by that surface. In practical applications, antirefleksjon is achieved through the application of thin‑film coatings composed of alternating layers of materials with differing refractive indices. By carefully controlling the thickness of each layer to be a quarter of the wavelength of the target light, destructive interference reduces the reflected wave amplitude.

The use of antirefleksjon is widespread in technologies that rely on precise light transmission. In camera lenses and optical microscopes, antirefleksjon coatings enhance image clarity and reduce ghosting artifacts. Human‑made optical devices such as telescopes, binoculars, and smartphone displays also employ these coatings to improve visual performance. In the realm of solar power, antirefleksjon layers on photovoltaic cells increase light absorption, thereby boosting efficiency.

Beyond physical optics, the word antirefleksjon occasionally appears in non‑technical contexts, such as literature or social sciences, where it serves as a metaphor for the suppression or minimization of reflective thought or critique. The term is closely related to the English expression antireflective and to the broader field of glare reduction techniques.

The Norwegian language derives the term from the prefix “anti”, borrowed from Latin, and the root “refleksjon”, meaning reflection. Its application in device engineering has been standard since the mid‑twentieth century, following developments in dielectric coating technologies. Antirefleksjon has thus become an essential component of modern optics and a useful concept in discussions of visual perception and media design.