Enhanced Aluminum Mirrors

Special Properties

• High and broadband optical reflectance, enhanced by dielectric overcoatings
• Optimized for a 45° angle of incidence
• High imaging quality and precision
• No ghosting effects
• Excellent price/performance ratio
• Large dimensions are possible
• High reflectance for near-infrared light (SEA-NIR)
• Wide range of angles of incidence
• Metallic coating
• High-quality substrate material
• Low energy loss

Typical Applications

• Flat optical mirrors for lighting and laser systems
• Large front surface mirrors
• Sensor technology
• Laser barcode readers and flatbed scanners
• IR mirrors
• Cost-effective alternative to silver-based optical mirrors
• Laser projection scanners
• Deflection mirrors
• Broadband mirrors for episcopes, copiers, projectors, fax machines, projectors, and camera systems
• Laser beam steering mirrors
• Optics for medical instruments
• Economical replacement for gold metal mirrors (SEA-NIR)
• Front surface mirrors for high volume projects
• High-resolution observation mirrors

Related Mirror Types

• SEA-UV Series
  (Mirrors for the UV-IR range)
• SHP Series
  (Silver front surface mirrors)

The SEA-VIS Enhanced Aluminum Front Surface Mirror is the most popular mirror in our extensive product line. It offers excellent reflectivity and high optical quality at a comparatively low price. The SEA-VIS is based on a thin layer of aluminum, with an additional dielectric multilayer overcoating deposited on top of the metal layer. This additional ultra-thin coating significantly increases the reflection compared to so-called protected aluminum mirrors and protects the aluminum layer from oxidation, scratches, and other environmental influences.

Both SEA-VIS and SEA-NIR coatings have much better resistance to moisture and abrasion than silver coated front surface mirrors. The mirrors achieve high imaging accuracy because the coatings are deposited directly on the front surface of a flat mirror-grade substrate. As a result, a light beam does not have to travel through glass twice to be reflected, as is the case with back-coated mirrors. Ghosting, or the formation of a phantom laser beam in the reflected image, which occurs with conventional back-coated mirrors, is eliminated.

SEA-VIS enhanced aluminum mirrors are economically priced optics. They are ideal for projects that require high optical reflectivity in the visible wavelength range, excellent imaging precision, and good mechanical stability at a reasonable cost. The SEA-VIS mirror is often the best choice for high-volume applications.

The SEA-NIR mirror has the same design as the SEA-VIS, except that the dielectric layers on top of the aluminum layer are optimized for the reflection of near-infrared energy. It can also be used as an alternative to gold mirrors in the IR wavelength range. All SEA mirror optics can work as laser mirrors for medium-power laser systems. Please get in touch with our engineers to see if you can use our unmodified SEA enhanced aluminum mirrors in your laser application. We also manufacture these mirrors in large sizes. In addition, we can optimize and modify the overcoating layers to increase the reflectance at a specific optical wavelength. Please use our inquiry form to get an offer for customized aluminum front surface mirrors. For more information on our enhanced aluminum SEA-VIS and SEA-NIR front surface mirrors, please visit our FAQ web page.

Please click on one of the buttons below or on the desired thickness in the table to submit a request for SEA-VIS or SEA-NIR enhanced aluminum mirrors.

 

Get a SEA-VIS quote

Get a SEA-NIR quote

48-hour express delivery

Specifications

SEA-VIS and SEA-NIR optical reflection

Zoom in on the graph to see details

Stock Mirror Thicknesses

Please click on a thickness to start the RFQ process:

Thickness (mm)	Tolerance
SEA-VIS Mirror Optimized for the visible wavelength range
0.55	±0.05	✔
1.00	±0.10	✔
1.10	±0.10	✔
2.00	±0.20	✔
3.00	±0.20	✔
4.00	±0.20	✔
5.00	±0.20	✔
6.00	±0.20	✔
SEA-VIS with custom thickness
SEA-NIR Mirror Optimized for near-IR wavelength range
2.00	±0.20	✔
3.00	±0.20	✔
SEA-NIR with custom thickness
Thicknesses marked with an "✔" are also available in our 48-hour express manufacturing.

Reflectance Specifications

SEA-VIS mirrors

• R > 94% at 550 nm, at 45° incidence angle
• Ravg > 93% at 450–650 nm, AOI = 15–45°
• Ravg > 92% at 550 nm for S&P polarization,
  at 15–45° incidence angle
• Other reflectivities, angles of incidence, wavelength ranges, or coatings optimized for laser applications are available upon request.

SEA-NIR mirrors

• Ravg > 93.5% at 700–1200 nm, AOI = 45°
• Other reflectivity or angles are available upon request.

Substrate Material

• Mirror-grade selected float glass
• Other materials are available upon request

Coating Construction

• Metallic aluminum coating enhanced and protected by a multilayer dielectric coating over a metal layer

Surface Flatness

• Depending on material
• Special flatness is available to order

Cosmetic Surface Quality

• 80-50 scratch & dig or better (MIL-0-13830A)
• Other finishes are available to order
  

Adherence & Abrasion

• Adherence according to MIL-C-675 C (tape test)
• Abrasion resistant according to MIL-M-13508 C

Maximum Dimensions

• Up to approximately 1024 mm × 1270 mm

Possible Mirror Shapes

• Square or rectangular
• Round parts up to a diameter of approx. 600 mm
  (the maximum possible diameter depends on the thickness)
• Free shapes
  (The production possibility depends on the thickness and quantity)

Product Codes

• SEA-VIS (optimized for visible light energy)
• SEA-NIR (optimized for IR light energy)

If you need engineering support or assistance with your optics development process, please do not hesitate to contact us.

 

Where is the shopping cart?

Fixed standard sizes are rarely an optimal solution for the customer. Our typical lead time for custom-sized optical mirrors is less than one week. You can order exactly the rectangle or diameter dimensions you require for your specific application. Short lead times are also available for larger quantities, as our company specializes in the rapid production of custom-sized mirrors and other optics. We even offer our 48-hour express option for delivery of custom-sized optics with stock thicknesses in as little as two business days! This is less time than it typically takes to get a quote in the optical industry. It is faster than many retail companies can ship their off-the-shelf catalog optics. So, a shopping cart is not an advantage when you need optics that fit your needs perfectly.

 

We provide solutions for many optical tasks. Please visit our product overview if you are looking for other mirrors, filters, windows, substrates, beamsplitters, or other optical components for light and laser applications. If you are looking for UV front surface mirrors capable of reflecting ultraviolet light, please visit our SEA-UV datasheet.

 

All data and specifications given are average guide values and are not guaranteed. Moreover, please consider the “Notes on Specifications”.

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Last update: December 05, 2024