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Mirrors
Mirrors with highly reflective coatings increase reflection
Surface mirrors are manufactured by depositing a metal layer or by employing dielectric layer systems. These coatings are also known as highly reflective (HR) coatings. Mirror coatings are designed to enhance reflection within specific wavelength ranges while concurrently minimising transmission.
Optical mirrors serve not only to reflect light, but also to regulate the intensity of radiation. Their individually adjustable reflection and transmission properties render them suitable for a broad spectrum of applications. Optical coatings typically consist of one or more layers applied to the substrate with varying thicknesses. At Bte, we provide a wide range of mirror coatings tailored to meet different optical requirements.
This enables us to produce metal mirrors that function over a very broad spectral range. We also manufacture dielectric mirrors that offer higher reflectivity over defined, even shorter wavelength ranges.
Metal mirrors
Highly reflective coatings or mirror coatings are produced using metallic mirrors
Highly reflective coatings, commonly known as mirror coatings, are often accomplished using metallic mirrors. These metallic layers, or metallic mirrors, are created through a process called Physical Vapour Deposition (PVD) coating. During PVD coating, high-purity metals are evaporated within a vacuum environment and subsequently deposited as thin layers onto the substrate. Depending on the chosen coating material and the thickness of the layers, both mirrors and absorbers as well as partially transparent surfaces can be achieved. The resulting metal mirrors are also known as metal reflectors.
In most cases, transparent protective layers are added to the metallic coatings. These layers prevent subsequent oxidation of the metallic layers and enhance both reflection and resistance to mechanical damage.
Moreover, exceedingly thin metallic layers can be deposited onto transparent substrates to generate partially transparent coatings or beam splitter coatings.
Dielectric protective coatings for metallic mirrors
- Dielectric coatings are typically applied to metallic mirrors (aluminium mirrors, copper mirrors, silver mirrors, front surface mirrors, back surface mirrors, metal reflectors, etc.). They protect the metallic reflective layer and increase the durability of the mirrors.
- These protective layers do not affect the reflective properties of the metallic mirror layers.
- Additional dielectric layer packages such as UV or IR-enhanced can be applied to increase reflectivity in certain areas (enhanced metal mirrors or enhanced metal reflectors).
Overview metallic mirrors
More about the different kinds of metallic mirrors
- Aluminum mirror (also enhanced and protected)
- Copper mirror
- Front surface mirror
- Silver mirror
Dielectric mirrors
Dielectric mirrors for the directing, modifying and imaging of light beams
Compared to metal mirrors, dielectric mirrors, also known as interference mirrors, typically encompass narrower spectral bandwidths.
More about dielectric mirrors, including highly reflective mirrors and cold light mirrors
Data Sheet Mirrors and Comparison of Metal Mirrors and Dielectric Mirrors
Download data sheet highly reflective coatings
Advantages of mirrors
- Highly reflective for maximum light output in the desired spectral range
- Metallic, dielectric, or combination possible, depending on application, wavelength, and angle requirements
- Protective coatings against oxidation, mechanical stress, and environmental influences possible
- Spectrally selective and optimized for UV, VIS, IR, or broadband applications
- Individually configurable, for example as front surface mirrors, rear surface mirrors, or cold light mirrors, highly reflective mirrors, as aluminum mirrors, silver mirrors, or copper mirrors
- Precise, reproducible, and also in large series thanks to modern PVD technology
- Also available in large dimensions
Data sheet Coating on aluminum substrates for the infrared range
Under certain conditions, coatings on aluminum substrates for the infrared range can be used as a substitute for gold coatings in the NIR.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions about mirror coatings
Mirror coatings are special layers of metallic or dielectric materials that are applied to substrates in order to reflect light in a targeted manner. They are used to direct light, select certain
radiation components, and are used in areas such as laser technology, sunlight control, and industrial automation.
Metallic mirrors offer broad spectral reflection without angle dependence, are inexpensive and easy to manufacture. Dielectric mirrors, on the other hand, offer extremely high reflection values in defined wavelength ranges, but are angle-dependent and have a narrower reflection band.
They are manufactured using PVD technology, in which high-purity metals are evaporated in a vacuum and deposited as thin layers on a substrate material. Protective layers can also be applied to prevent oxidation and mechanical damage.
- High reflection over a wide wavelength range
- No angle dependence
- Cost-effective production
- Possibility of “enhanced” and “protected” designs
- Susceptibility to corrosion in demanding applications
- Lower mechanical hardness and packing density
They offer reflection values of over 99% in the visible range (in a narrow spectral range), are ideal for targeted light control, and are optimized for specific wavelengths.
- Angle dependence of reflection
- Narrower reflection band compared to metal mirrors
Dielectric protective coatings are applied to protect the metallic reflective layer from oxidation and environmental influences without impairing the optical properties.
Our range includes front surface mirrors, rear surface mirrors, cold light mirrors, highly reflective mirrors, and aluminum, silver, and copper mirrors, all of which can be individually configured. Depending on requirements, the designs are available as metallic or dielectric mirrors, or a combination of both.
Sie eignen sich für Laseroptiken, Sonnenlichtlenkung, Scanner in der Automatisierungstechnik und viele weitere präzise optische Anwendungen, auch in großen Serien und Abmessungen.
