λ/8 Glass First Surface Mirror

The production of a high-quality optical component is an exacting process, requiring a high level of skill, quality equipment, and close attention to detail. Our λ/8 wave first surface mirror glass offers a superior quality compared to other first surface mirrors on the market. The λ/8 flatness is achieved by polishing float glass down to a flat surface, then coating with aluminum and the protective overcoat. Typically, other companies are only able to produce the mirrors on float glass, which is 4-6λ per inch. To the naked eye, the two mirrors look the same, however the improved quality of the λ/8 is immediately noticeable under magnification.

Our λ/8 mirrors are tested with an interferometer, which is a piece of equipment that is designed to be able to test a multitude of different shape optics (flat and curved). Flat optics have an advantage hat they can be tested utilizing a Master Optical flat, which is a propitiatory in-house process that allows testing of different areas of the mirror. The mirror is then measured at those areas and analyzes the areas that are most deviant from flat. As a result, the mirrors on average are actually better than what is reported. Large sheets of 1/4″ glass can bend under its own weight, so all tests are performed with the mirror under minimal stress, supported so the glass is not bending under its own weight.