Polarization examples

Advanced Optics fabricates protected aluminum mirrors in almost any configuration from commercial grade down to 1/20 wave. For further information on how we can help you design the proper optical mirror for your application please visit our optical manufacturing capabilities page.

Protected silver mirrors have a thin dielectric overcoat that provides durability and prevents the silver underneath from rapid oxidation. These mirrors offer higher reflectivity over a broader spectral range than aluminum coated mirrors with Ravg > 97.5% from 450 – 2000nm and Ravg > 98% from 2 – 20µm. This makes them ideal for applications that require high, fairly flat reflectivity over the visible and NIR spectrum.

Polarization of light

The disadvantage of choosing a protected silver mirror is its propensity to oxidize over time. The protective dielectric overcoat is helpful but these mirrors will eventually tarnish, and environmental factors such as humidity will accelerate the process.

Linear polarization

In addition to our standard UV enhanced aluminum coating, Advanced Optics offers a deep UV enhanced aluminum coating for use down to 190nm.

Protected gold mirrors have a thin dielectric overcoat that provides durability for the soft gold underneath, which otherwise should not be touched or cleaned. When your application requires high reflectivity in the NIR or IR spectrum, these mirrors excel with Ravg >96% from 700 – 2000nm and Ravg >98% from 2 - 10µm.

Advanced Optics fabricates protected silver mirrors in almost any configuration from commercial grade down to 1/20 wave. For further information on how we can help you design the proper optical mirror for your application please visit our optical manufacturing capabilities page.

Silver can be enhanced to provide 99% reflectivity at a specific wavelength between 400nm – 20µm. However, the overall curve is not as flat as standard protected silver as illustrated in the curve below, which is optimized at 520nm.

Polarization definition psychology

Polarization in Chemistry

Metallic coated optical mirrors are coated with various metals to provide reflectivity across the UV, VIS, and IR spectra making them an excellent choice for a wide range of applications. When choosing a metallic coating, one should carefully consider the following:

Protected aluminum mirrors are coated with aluminum and a ½ wave of either silicon monoxide or silicon dioxide overcoat. The choice of overcoat may need to be considered due to the thermal implications of how each is applied and the wavelength of intended use. Either overcoat provides abrasion resistance for the soft aluminum underneath, which should otherwise not be touched or cleaned. The protective overcoat also keeps the aluminum from oxidizing over time.

Enhanced aluminum mirrors are overcoated with a thin dielectric layer that provides protection and durability to the fragile aluminum underneath, which otherwise should not be touched or wiped. Enhanced aluminum mirrors can be specifically tailored to improve reflectivity in either the UV or the visible spectrum, thereby extending their application range.

Advanced Optics fabricates protected silver mirrors in almost any configuration from commercial grade down to 1/20 wave.  Please visit our optical manufacturing capabilities page for additional information

Polarization politics

Advanced Optics manufactures optical mirrors that offer reflectivity from 190nm – 20µm. Please visit our technical bare (unprotected) metallic coatings page to learn more about mirrors without a protective overcoat.

Plane of polarization

Advanced Optics can help you customize your protected gold coating to meet your reflectivity requirements. We fabricate protected gold mirrors in almost any configuration from commercial grade down to 1/20 wave. Please visit our optical manufacturing capabilities page to see how we can help you meet your requirements.

As with our standard protected aluminum coatings, Advanced Optics can design UV enhanced aluminum and visible spectrum enhanced aluminum coatings centered at a specific wavelength to maximize reflectivity in the area of the spectrum that matters most to your application. Advanced Optics fabricates enhanced aluminum mirrors in almost any configuration from commercial grade down to 1/20 wave. Please visit our optical manufacturing capabilities page to see how we can help you meet your requirements.

The disadvantage of this common, general-purpose coating is the dip in reflectivity at 880nm, which is due to the aluminum and enhanced by the overcoat. However, protected aluminum mirrors can be customized by centering the coating at a specific wavelength to maximize reflectivity where it matters most to your application. This makes protected aluminum mirrors not only economical but flexible enough to be used in a wide range of applications.

UV and DUV Enhanced Aluminum Mirrors Enhancing the aluminum in the UV spectrum provides Ravg >90% 250 – 450nm and Ravg >85% 250 – 700nm.

The disadvantage of choosing a protected silver mirror is its propensity to oxidize over time. The protective dielectric overcoat is helpful but these mirrors will eventually tarnish, and environmental factors such as humidity will accelerate the process.

Polarization in Physics

Protected aluminum is a popular choice in the visible spectrum due to its low cost and good reflectivity with Ravg >85% from 400 – 700nm. It continues to provide good reflectivity into the NIR spectrum with Ravg >90% 400 – 2000nm making it an excellent choice for many broadband applications.