Are you curious about what makes a first surface mirror truly exceptional? Understanding the top manufacturers can elevate your projects and ensure quality. Discovering the best options not only saves time but also enhances your results. Dive in to explore our comprehensive comparison and find the perfect fit for your needs!
First Surface Mirror | Optical Mirrors Made For Engineering
Product Details: First surface mirrors provide superior accuracy for engineering and scientific applications with a true reflection and no double image.
Technical Parameters:
– Aluminum mirror coating for maximum light reflection
– Dielectric overcoat for scratch and oxidation resistance
Application Scenarios:
– Flight simulators and periscopes
– Broadcasting, photography, and projection
Pros:
– Optical grade mirror coating
– Fast quotation and same day shipping
Cons:
– Potential for breakage during shipping
– Higher cost compared to standard mirrors
Glass First Surface Mirror | Optical Grade Mirror Coating
Product Details: First surface mirrors, also known as front surface mirrors or FSM, provide a true reflection with no ghosting effect. They are available in custom sizes and ship immediately from Toledo, OH.
Technical Parameters:
– Opaque with 0% transparency
– 96% reflective
– 1λ per inch flatness (selective double flat)
– Comes with protective laminate over coating
– Manufactured in the USA
Application Scenarios:
– Factory Automation
– Barcode scanners
– Flight simulators, periscopes
– Broadcasting, photography, projection
– Optics, astronomy, physics, lasers
– Hollywood special effects
– High speed photography
– Kaleidoscopes, product photography
– Ophthalmology eye tests, dental mirrors
Pros:
– Eliminates ghosting
– Maximizes light reflection
– Minimizes distortion
– Same day shipping
– Quantity discounts available
Cons:
– Potential for breakage during shipping
– Limited to specific shapes and sizes
Optical Mirror | First Surface Mirror & Beamsplitter Manufacturing
Product Details: Optical mirrors including first surface mirrors, beamsplitter mirrors, UV enhanced mirrors, and anti-reflective glass.
Technical Parameters:
– First surface mirrors provide true reflection with no ghosting.
– UV enhanced mirrors optimized for high reflection from 10-400nm.
Application Scenarios:
– Engineering and scientific applications requiring precise reflection.
– Custom optics for various optical projects.
Pros:
– Fast turnaround and convenient online ordering.
– High-quality optical components with elite precision.
Cons:
– Higher cost for superior quality mirrors.
– Potential for longer lead times on custom orders.
First Surface Mirrors – RP Photonics
Product Details: First surface mirrors, also known as front surface mirrors, have a metallic mineral coating on the front surface of the mirror substrate.
Technical Parameters:
– Metal-coated mirrors with reflecting coating on the front surface
– Available with different types of substrates including glass and metallic
Application Scenarios:
– Laser mirrors for CO2 lasers
– Imaging applications to avoid ghost images
Pros:
– Higher reflectivity without substrate absorption
– No wavefront distortions due to optical inhomogeneities
Cons:
– More sensitive to damage compared to back surface mirrors
– Metal coating can oxidize easily and is difficult to clean
First Surface Mirrors – Edmund Optics
Product Details: First Surface Mirrors
Technical Parameters:
– High reflectivity
– Durable coating
Application Scenarios:
– Optical systems
– Laser applications
Pros:
– Minimized ghosting
– Enhanced image quality
Cons:
– Potential for scratches
– Higher cost compared to standard mirrors
Buying First Surface Mirrors – RP Photonics
Product Details: First surface mirrors (or front surface mirrors) have their reflecting coating on the front surface, avoiding disadvantages of second surface mirrors.
Technical Parameters:
– Protected and enhanced versions available
– Durability and performance across different wavelengths
Application Scenarios:
– Optical systems requiring high reflectivity
– Applications sensitive to ghost images
Pros:
– Higher reflectivity compared to second surface mirrors
– Reduced ghost images
Cons:
– More sensitive to damage
– Potentially higher cost
First Surface Mirror | Optical Grade Enhanced Aluminum Coating
Product Details: First Surface Mirror with high reflectance coating for true reflection and durability.
Technical Parameters:
– Thickness options: 1/4″ (6mm), 1/8″ (3mm), 1.9mm, 1.0mm, 0.5mm
– 96% reflective aluminum coating
Application Scenarios:
– Factory Automation
– Medical Equipment & Prototyping
Pros:
– Eliminates double image distortion
– Outstanding optical reflection in visible spectrum
Cons:
– Potential for scratches if not handled properly
– Requires careful packaging to prevent breakage
First Surface Mirror | Optical Mirrors | Advanced Optics
Product Details: First surface mirrors reflect light directly from the coating applied to the polished surface of a glass substrate, eliminating ghost images and making them ideal for optical applications involving imaging.
Technical Parameters:
– Fabricate flat optical mirrors from 1mm – 530mm.
– Precision polish down to λ/20.
Application Scenarios:
– Optical applications involving imaging.
– Situations requiring high reflectivity without ghost images.
Pros:
– Higher reflectivity compared to second surface mirrors.
– Eliminates ghost images.
Cons:
– Bare aluminum and gold are soft and should not be touched or cleaned.
– May require protective overcoat depending on application.
Optical Mirrors ~ Advanced Optics
Product Details: Advanced Optics offers a full range of high-quality flat optical mirror solutions including precision round, rectangular, and square mirrors, as well as custom optical mirrors in various configurations.
Technical Parameters:
– Fabricate flat mirrors from 1mm – 530mm
– Achieve parallelism of < 2 arc seconds
Application Scenarios:
– Used in UV, VIS, and NIR spectral regions
– Ideal for applications requiring precise light reflection and optimization
Pros:
– Customizable options tailored to specific needs
– Variety of coatings available for enhanced performance
Cons:
– Potentially higher cost for custom configurations
– Limited information on specific performance metrics for each product
Precision Mirrors | Optical Products | OPCO Laboratory
Product Details: OPCO Laboratory, Inc. manufactures high-quality precision mirrors, including flat, spherical, and replicated types, with dimensions up to 300mm.
Technical Parameters:
– Customized spherical and flat mirrors
– Manufacturing capabilities for deep UV to mid-IR wavelengths
Application Scenarios:
– Spectrometer collimating and focusing
– Primary and secondary telescope mirrors
Pros:
– Vertically integrated in-house manufacturing for complete process control
– Cost-effective replication process
Cons:
– Limited to specific materials like metal alloys and glass substrates
– Potential complexity in custom designs
Related Video
Comparison Table
| Company | Product Details | Pros | Cons | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First Surface Mirror | Optical Mirrors Made For Engineering | First surface mirrors provide superior accuracy for engineering and scientific applications with a true reflection and no double image. | – Optical grade mirror coating – Fast quotation and same day shipping | – Potential for breakage during shipping – Higher cost compared to standard mirrors |
| Glass First Surface Mirror | Optical Grade Mirror Coating | First surface mirrors, also known as front surface mirrors or FSM, provide a true reflection with no ghosting effect. They are available in custom siz… | – Eliminates ghosting – Maximizes light reflection – Minimizes distortion – Same day shipping – Quantity discounts available | – Potential for breakage during shipping – Limited to specific shapes and sizes |
| Optical Mirror | First Surface Mirror & Beamsplitter Manufacturing | Optical mirrors including first surface mirrors, beamsplitter mirrors, UV enhanced mirrors, and anti-reflective glass. | – Fast turnaround and convenient online ordering. – High-quality optical components with elite precision. | – Higher cost for superior quality mirrors. – Potential for longer lead times on custom orders. |
| First Surface Mirrors – RP Photonics | First surface mirrors, also known as front surface mirrors, have a metallic mineral coating on the front surface of the mirror substrate. | – Higher reflectivity without substrate absorption – No wavefront distortions due to optical inhomogeneities | – More sensitive to damage compared to back surface mirrors – Metal coating can oxidize easily and is difficult to clean | www.rp-photonics.com |
| First Surface Mirrors – Edmund Optics | First Surface Mirrors | – Minimized ghosting – Enhanced image quality | – Potential for scratches – Higher cost compared to standard mirrors | www.edmundoptics.com |
| Buying First Surface Mirrors – RP Photonics | First surface mirrors (or front surface mirrors) have their reflecting coating on the front surface, avoiding disadvantages of second surface mirrors. | – Higher reflectivity compared to second surface mirrors – Reduced ghost images | – More sensitive to damage – Potentially higher cost | www.rp-photonics.com |
| First Surface Mirror | Optical Grade Enhanced Aluminum Coating | First Surface Mirror with high reflectance coating for true reflection and durability. | – Eliminates double image distortion – Outstanding optical reflection in visible spectrum | – Potential for scratches if not handled properly – Requires careful packaging to prevent breakage |
| First Surface Mirror | Optical Mirrors | Advanced Optics | First surface mirrors reflect light directly from the coating applied to the polished surface of a glass substrate, eliminating ghost images and makin… | – Higher reflectivity compared to second surface mirrors. – Eliminates ghost images. |
| Optical Mirrors ~ Advanced Optics | Advanced Optics offers a full range of high-quality flat optical mirror solutions including precision round, rectangular, and square mirrors, as well… | – Customizable options tailored to specific needs – Variety of coatings available for enhanced performance | – Potentially higher cost for custom configurations – Limited information on specific performance metrics for each product | www.advancedoptics.com |
| Precision Mirrors | Optical Products | OPCO Laboratory | OPCO Laboratory, Inc. manufactures high-quality precision mirrors, including flat, spherical, and replicated types, with dimensions up to 300mm. | – Vertically integrated in-house manufacturing for complete process control – Cost-effective replication process |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is a first surface mirror?
A first surface mirror is a type of mirror where the reflective coating is applied directly to the front surface of the glass. This design minimizes distortion and eliminates ghosting effects, making it ideal for applications like optical instruments, lasers, and high-quality imaging systems.
What are the benefits of using first surface mirrors?
First surface mirrors offer superior image quality, reduced distortion, and enhanced durability compared to traditional mirrors. They are particularly useful in precision applications where clarity and accuracy are essential, such as in scientific research and high-end photography.
How are first surface mirrors manufactured?
First surface mirrors are manufactured by applying a reflective coating, typically aluminum or silver, directly onto the glass surface. The process involves cleaning the glass, applying the coating in a vacuum chamber, and then protecting it with a layer of dielectric material to enhance durability and reflectivity.
What industries commonly use first surface mirrors?
First surface mirrors are widely used in various industries, including aerospace, automotive, medical, and entertainment. They are essential in applications like telescopes, laser systems, and high-definition displays, where precision and clarity are paramount.
How do I choose the right manufacturer for first surface mirrors?
When selecting a manufacturer, consider their experience, quality control processes, and customer reviews. Look for companies that offer customization options and have a proven track record in producing high-quality optical components. It’s also helpful to request samples to evaluate their products firsthand.