Enhanced Aluminum Mirrors

Name: Enhanced Aluminum Mirrors
Brand: PhotonEdge
SKU: PE-MIRROR-EAL-026B
Availability: LimitedAvailability

Key Specifications

Type	Enhanced Aluminum
Reflectivity	> 92% (400-800nm)
Substrate	BK7 / Float Glass
Diameter	6-150 mm
Surface Quality	40-20 / 20-10
Flatness	λ/4 @ 632.8nm
Broadband	400-800nm enhanced visible
Protection	Overcoat for durability

What Is a Enhanced Aluminum Mirrors?

Enhanced aluminum mirrors use a multi-layer dielectric overlay on aluminum to boost reflectance in the visible spectrum above standard aluminum coatings. They offer R > 92% across 400-800nm while maintaining good UV extension.

Ideal for general laboratory mirrors, visible laser alignment, imaging relay systems, and applications requiring better visible performance than standard aluminum at moderate cost.

When Should You Use This Product?

✔ Good Choice When

✓ Visible broadband reflection with improved performance
✓ Budget-friendly lab mirrors
✓ Visible laser beam steering
✓ Imaging relay and periscope systems

⚠ Consider an Alternative When

✗ Higher reflectance VIS-NIR → Protected Silver Mirror

✗ UV broadband → Protected Aluminum Mirror

✗ Wavelength-specific HR → Dielectric Mirror

✗ IR broadband → Protected Gold Mirror

Available Optical Materials

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

Material	Transmission	Key Advantage	Considerations
BK7	VIS substrate	Standard optical substrate	Not for UV or IR
Float Glass	Economy VIS substrate	Budget option	Lower optical quality

Not sure which material to choose?

Ask AI Optical Engineer

Optical Coating Options

Enhanced Aluminum

Multi-layer overcoat on Al. R > 92% (400-800nm).

Typical use: Visible broadband applications

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.

Reflectance

R > 92% in visible, dropping in UV and NIR. Verify spectral requirements.

Durability

Protected overcoat extends lifetime but not as durable as dielectric.

AOI

Non-normal AOI causes S/P polarization differences. Specify your angle.

Cleaning

Use compressed gas first. Avoid aggressive solvents on protective overcoat.

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 advantage over standard aluminum?

Enhanced aluminum adds dielectric layers to boost visible reflectance from ~88% to > 92%.

Not Sure Which Specification You Need?

Describe your optical system and our AI Optical Engineer will help identify the right specifications, materials, and coatings for your application.

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Request an Engineering Quote

Provide your requirements and our engineering team will respond within 24 hours with a detailed quotation.

TypeReflectivitySubstrateDiameterSurface QualityFlatnessBroadbandProtection

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