A smooth, highly polished surface, for reflecting light, that may be plane or curved. The actual reflecting surface is usually a thin coating of silver or aluminum on glass.

RISING-EO designs and manufactures a great choice of various high and partially reflecting mirrors for the spectral range: UV, visible, near infrared, and infrared regions. Metallic coatings are more broadband while dielectric coatings are more efficient.

Selecting the proper mirror for your application requires making a number of choices. A few of the many considerations include: Reflectivity, Laser Damage Resistance, Coating Durability, Thermal Expansion of the substrate, Wavefront Distortion, Scattered Light, and certainly Cost. The following tables should help in comparing the available choices from Rising EO.

Featured substrate materials: Pyrex is an excellent mirror substrate due to its low coefficient of thermal expansion and resistance to thermal shock. When high stability is critical, Zerodur is the best choice for its zero thermal expansion. UV Fused Silica has a thermal expansion coefficient lower than Pyrex, yet is more expensive. Because of its excellent transmissive properties, it is often reserved for transmissive mirrors as well as high-energy laser mirrors.

CZ Silicon is frequently used for laser mirrors because of its high thermal conductivity and low density.

Optical surfaces requirements: The mirror application drives the requirements for surface irregularity and surface quality.

Angle of Incident (AOI): Usually the Angle of Incident (AOI) are 45 degrees or 0 degree as follows:

AOI=45°	AOI=0°

Following mirrors are what Rising EO can provide:

Dielectric Mirrors
Dielectric Mirrors offer near total reflection, minimizing losses in nearly all optical systems. These coatings are very durable, easily cleaned, and resistant to laser damage.

Available either broadband or narrowband, they operate efficiently over 0–45° angle of incidence: AOI=0°, R>99.8%; AOI=45°, R>99.5% (Rs>99.9%, Rp>99.2%).

Metallic Mirrors
Metallic Mirrors represent a good mixture of performance and value. These broadband coatings are relatively insensitive to wavelength, angle of incidence, and polarization. However high-energy levels should be avoided.

Protected Aluminum -- For general broadband use, a protected aluminum coating offers the best option. A SiO coating is used to protect the delicate aluminum coating, making it suitable for laboratory and industrial use. This coating gives a reflectivity that most closely matches the reflection of a bare aluminum coating: Ravg>87% @400-1200nm.

UV Enhanced Aluminum -- Aluminum coated mirrors are cost effective and offered in a variety of sizes. Bare aluminum is extremely delicate and susceptible to damage. A protective overcoat is layered over the aluminum to make it damage resistant. Our UV Enhanced coating is made by using an overcoat of MgF2 which is transparent in the UV allowing 200-230nm R>65%; 230-250nm R>80%; 251-1200nm R>85% (Ravg>93% @400-1200nm).

Protective Silver and Protective Gold also are available upon request! Protected Silver: Ravg>95% @450-12000nm. Gold is the most efficient reflective coating throughout the entire IR range. Gold coatings provide a surface that may be easily cleaned while providing 98% average reflectance throughout the IR region.

Manufacturing Tolerances

The general tolerance specifications above provide a guideline regarding manufacturing capabilities for optics ranging in size from 3-100mm. The manufacturing limits are not absolute; tighter tolerances may be possible. Part specific tolerances may vary depending on component size, shape, and/or material.