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An Optical mirror is an optical element that reflects light.
It is composed of one or more reflecting surfaces, such as spherical, flat or aspherical surfaces. Reflecting the required spectrum according to the design requirements, Optical mirror is widely used in astronomy, physics, optics, laser processing, medicine, industry and other fields.
A optical mirror utilizes the principle of reflection to change the direction of light. After reflection, the light retains its original color and frequency. The reflective surface of the mirror can be either flat or curved, and the material can be metallic or non-metallic.
Optical filters, on the other hand, are based on the principles of optical interference and transmission. Different colors and frequencies of light are attenuated or filtered, allowing only specific colors or frequencies to pass through. Filters are typically composed of a series of multilayer thin films, and the thickness of these films can be controlled by adjusting the deposition time.
In simple terms, dielectrics have a positive dielectric constant, while metals have a negative dielectric constant.
If an electromagnetic wave (visible light is also an electromagnetic wave) can propagate within a certain medium (assuming it is uniform and contains no charges), it indicates that Maxwell's equations allow for a plane wave solution in that medium. This typically occurs when the medium's dielectric constant is positive. In contrast, electromagnetic waves cannot propagate within metals because Maxwell's equations do not allow for a plane wave solution in metals. However, metals do support another type of solution, known as an evanescent wave, which can only propagate at the surface. This is why mirrors are typically made of metals under normal circumstances.
Dielectric coatings, on the other hand, are composed of periodic layers of high and low dielectric constant materials, each layer being extremely thin. When the wavelength satisfies a certain condition, the dielectric coating acts like a Bragg grating that performs total reflection for that specific wavelength, reflecting all the light back. These dielectric-coated mirrors have extremely high reflectivity but are limited by incident angle and wavelength range. Additionally, they are quite expensive.
In EUV (Extreme Ultraviolet) lithography machines, reflective optical masks (optical masks) are made using multilayer dielectric coatings. Essentially, dielectric-coated mirrors are a form of one-dimensional photonic crystals, creating a bandgap where light is not supported to propagate, resulting in total reflection. While they are not strictly photonic crystals, the thickness of each layer is often delicately adjusted for specific requirements.
Optical mirrors come in various types:
Plane Mirrors: Flat surfaces used to change light direction, following the law of reflection. Widely used in research, instruments, and daily applications.
Spherical Mirrors: Include convex (diverge light) and concave (converge light) mirrors, essential in imaging and laser systems.
Aspherical Mirrors: Non-flat, non-spherical surfaces like parabolic and hyperbolic mirrors, reducing aberrations and improving image quality.
Right-Angle Prism Mirrors: Anti-reflective and reflective coatings, easy to install, used in various devices.
Off-Axis Parabolic Mirrors: Segments of parabolic surfaces, ideal for focusing parallel beams, used in femtosecond pulse lasers.
Hollow Roof Prism Mirrors: Composed of right-angle prisms and a rectangular substrate, offering high flatness and good optical performance.
Metal-Coated Mirrors: Metal coatings (aluminum, silver, gold) for broadband reflection, requiring protective coatings in humid environments.
Dielectric-Coated Mirrors: Multiple dielectric layers for specific wavelength reflection, high reflectivity, and low absorption, used in precision optical systems.
Optical mirrors have a wide range of applications across various fields, including:
Scientific Research: Optical mirrors are crucial in laser experiments, optical experiments, and spectroscopy for guiding or changing the direction of light.
Optical Instruments: In devices such as telescopes and microscopes, mirrors are used to reflect and direct light, ensuring the proper functioning of the equipment.
Industrial Applications: Mirrors are used in laser cutting, laser printers, and other equipment to precisely control laser beams, enhancing processing accuracy and efficiency.
Life Sciences and Biomedical: In microscopes and telescopes, mirrors are used for high-precision imaging, reducing aberrations and improving image quality.
Semiconductor and Metrology: In semiconductor manufacturing and precision measurement, mirrors are used for bending light paths and controlling beams.
Machine Vision and Photovoltaics: In machine vision systems and photovoltaic devices, mirrors are used to adjust and optimize light paths.
AT Optical has advanced optical processing and coating equipment, which can currently be processed in the size range from Ø2mm to Ø350mm, and can meet different surface requirements.
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