Dielectric Mirrors

Name: Dielectric Mirrors
Brand: PhotonEdge
SKU: PE-MIRROR-DIE-021
Availability: LimitedAvailability

Key Specifications

Type	Dielectric HR (multi-layer)
Reflectivity	> 99.9% at design wavelength
Substrate	BK7 / UV Fused Silica / Custom
Diameter	5-150 mm
Surface Quality	20-10 / 10-5
Flatness	λ/4 to λ/20
LIDT	High (depends on design)
AOI	0°, 45°, or custom

What Is a Dielectric Mirrors?

Dielectric mirrors use alternating layers of high and low refractive index materials to create constructive interference at the design wavelength, achieving reflectivities above 99.9%. Unlike metallic mirrors, they offer extremely high reflectivity and laser damage threshold at specific wavelengths.

They are the standard choice for laser cavities, high-power laser systems, and any application requiring maximum reflectivity at a specific wavelength band.

When Should You Use This Product?

✔ Good Choice When

✓ Laser cavity mirrors requiring R > 99.9%
✓ High-power laser systems needing high LIDT
✓ Specific wavelength high reflection
✓ Precision optical systems requiring low absorption

⚠ Consider an Alternative When

✗ Broadband reflection needed → Protected Silver Mirror

✗ UV to NIR broadband → Protected Aluminum Mirror

✗ IR broadband → Protected Gold Mirror

✗ Budget broadband use → Enhanced Aluminum Mirror

Available Optical Materials

Select the optimal substrate material based on your wavelength, environment, and budget requirements.

Material	Transmission	Key Advantage	Considerations
BK7	VIS / NIR substrate	Standard substrate for visible mirrors	Not for UV or IR
UV Fused Silica	UV / VIS / NIR substrate	Low thermal expansion, high LIDT	Higher cost
Float Glass	VIS substrate	Economy choice for visible mirrors	Lower optical quality

Not sure which material to choose?

Ask AI Optical Engineer

Optical Coating Options

Dielectric HR (Custom)

Multi-layer dielectric. R > 99.9% at design wavelength. High LIDT.

Typical use: Laser cavities, high-power laser systems

Dielectric Partial Reflector

Controlled reflectivity (e.g., 95%, 90%, 50%).

Typical use: Output couplers, sampling mirrors

Dielectric Beamsplitter

Wavelength-specific splitting ratio.

Typical use: Dichroic and wavelength separation

How to Specify Your Coating

To select the right coating, please provide: (1) Operating wavelength, (2) Angle of incidence, (3) Required transmission or reflectivity, (4) Laser power density (if applicable), (5) Operating environment.

Engineering Considerations

Key factors to evaluate when specifying this optical component for your system.

Wavelength Specificity

Dielectric mirrors are wavelength-specific. Performance drops rapidly away from design wavelength.

LIDT

Dielectric coatings have the highest LIDT of any mirror type. Specify laser parameters for proper design.

AOI

Reflectance and polarization performance change with angle. Specify AOI for proper coating design.

Polarization

At non-normal AOI, S and P polarization have different reflectance. Consider for polarized laser systems.

Applications

Laser Systems

Beam delivery, focusing, and conditioning for industrial and scientific laser systems.

Semiconductor

Wafer inspection, lithography support, and process control optics.

Machine Vision

Image formation in inspection systems and quality control cameras.

Research & Education

Laboratory optics, teaching setups, and experimental beam paths.

Manufacturing & Customization

PhotonEdge supports optical component sourcing, engineering review, and qualified manufacturing through our optical manufacturing network. We coordinate production, coating, and inspection to deliver components that meet your specifications.

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Prototype

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Low Volume

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Volume Production

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Custom Specification

Quality Assurance

Dimensional Inspection

Diameter, thickness, focal length verified per specification

Surface Quality

Scratch-dig inspection under calibrated illumination

Coating Verification

Spectrophotometric measurement of transmission/reflectance

Inspection documentation available according to project requirements. Certificates of Conformance, material test reports, and coating curves can be provided.

You May Also Need

Related Knowledge

Engineering Documentation

The following documentation is available upon request for qualified engineering projects:

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Dimensional Drawing

CAD & dimensional specs per your requirements

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Material Data Sheet

Material properties, transmission curves & certificates

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Coating Performance Curve

Spectrophotometric measurement data

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Inspection Report

Surface quality, flatness, centration & dimensional data

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Certificate of Conformance

CoC with full traceability per project requirements

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Custom Specification Sheet

Application-specific specification documentation

Documentation availability depends on project scope and order quantity. Request details during RFQ.

Frequently Asked Questions

What reflectivity can I expect?

Reflectivity depends on the coating: Protected Silver > 97% (400-2000nm), Protected Al > 90% (250-2000nm), Dielectric HR > 99.9% at design wavelength.

What is the laser damage threshold?

LIDT depends on coating type. Dielectric HR coatings typically have the highest LIDT. Specify your laser parameters for proper coating selection.

What substrates are available?

Standard substrates include BK7, UV Fused Silica, and Float Glass. For IR applications, we offer Cu, Mo, and Si substrates.

Can mirrors be used at non-normal incidence?

Yes. Specify the angle of incidence (AOI) for proper coating design. S-polarization and P-polarization have different reflectance at oblique angles.

How should I handle and clean mirrors?

Handle by edges only. Use compressed gas for dust removal. For smudges, use optical-grade cleaning solvents with lint-free wipes. Avoid touching coated surfaces.

What is the lead time for custom mirrors?

Standard catalog mirrors ship within 1-2 weeks. Custom-coated mirrors typically require 3-4 weeks.

What is the reflectivity of dielectric mirrors?

R > 99.9% at the design wavelength, with very low absorption and scatter.

Are dielectric mirrors broadband?

No, they are wavelength-specific. For broadband reflection, use protected silver or aluminum mirrors.

Not Sure Which Specification You Need?

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TypeReflectivitySubstrateDiameterSurface QualityFlatnessLIDTAOI

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