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Enhanced Aluminum Mirrors

SEA-VIS & SEA-NIR Front Surface Mirror Series
for visible and near infrared light

Special Properties

  • High reflection enhanced by dielectric overcoatings
  • Optimized for an angle of incidence of 45°
  • Outstanding imaging quality
  • No ghosting effects
  • Excellent price-performance ratio
  • Large-format dimensions possible
  • Large angle of incidence range
  • Selected mirror-grade substrate material

Typical Applications

  • Front surface mirrors in optical systems
  • Optical mirrors for large-scale projects
  • Sensor technology
  • Cost-effective laser mirrors
  • Laser barcode readers and flatbed scanners
  • Cost-effective alternative to silver-metal mirrors
  • Laser projection scanners
  • Broadband mirrors
  • Mirrors for episcopes, copiers, and projectors
  • Mirror optics for medical instruments
  • Economical replacement for gold IR mirrors (SEA-NIR)
  • High-resolution observation mirrors

Related Mirror Types

Our enhanced aluminum front surface mirrors are our best-selling optical mirror products. They offer outstanding reflectivity and optical quality at an excellent price-performance ratio. Picture of a SEA-VIS enhanced aluminum mirrorTheir aluminum coating has a dielectric multilayer overcoating on top to significantly increase the reflection in the design wavelength range. These overcoatings also protect the metallic aluminum layer from oxidation, scratches, and environmental influences.

Both the SEA-VIS and SEA-NIR mirror optics achieve outstanding imaging quality because the reflective coating is deposited directly on the front surface of a flat, mirror-quality substrate. Light sources, an image, or lasers do not have to travel through a glass twice to be reflected, as is the case with ordinary mirrors with a coating on the back. Ghost images, or the formation of phantom laser beams as it typically occurs with conventional mirrors, are thus eliminated.

The SEA-VIS mirrors are economically priced optics optimized for visible wavelengths. They are ideal for projects that require high optical reflectivity, excellent imaging precision, flatness, and good mechanical stability at a reasonable price. This makes the SEA-VIS the perfect front surface mirror for large-scale series.

Enhanced aluminum front surface mirror with a 50 mm diameter reflecting a light beamThe SEA-NIR mirrors have basically the same design concept as the SEA-VIS, except that the overcoating on top of the aluminum is optimized for high reflection of near-infrared wavelengths. Hence, the SEA-NIR is also often used as an alternative to gold-coated mirrors in the IR wavelength range.

All SEA mirrors can reflect lasers up to a certain energy density. Please contact our engineers to find out if you can use our SEA-enhanced aluminum mirrors in your laser application. Furthermore, we can adapt the overcoating to increase the reflectance for specific wavelengths or a broader wavelength range. To receive a quotation for an individual coating design, please consider using our inquiry form or email us.

 

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

 

Get a SEA-VIS quote


Get a SEA-NIR quote


48h-Express Optics 48-Hour Express Service

 

For more information on our enhanced aluminum SEA-VIS and SEA-NIR mirrors, please make sure to visit our FAQ web page.

Specifications


SEA-VIS and SEA-NIR reflection curve
Reflection curves of the SEA-VIS and SEA-NIR aluminum mirrors
Show details


Mirror Thicknesses

Please click on a thickness to begin an RFQ:
Thickness (mm) Tolerance 48-hour Express Optics

SEA-VIS
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 or tolerance

SEA-NIR
Optimized for near-IR wavelength range

2.00 ±0.20
3.00 ±0.20
SEA-NIR with custom thickness or tolerance
Mirror thicknesses marked with are also available in our 48-Hour Express Service.

Reflectance

SEA-VIS mirror reflectance:
  • 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, energy density limits, or coatings optimized for laser applications are available upon request.
SEA-NIR mirror reflectance:
  • Ravg > 93.5% at 700–1200 nm, AOI = 45°
  • Other reflectivity or angles are available upon request.

Substrate

Coating

  • Metallic aluminum coating enhanced and protected by a multilayer dielectric overcoating on top

Flatness

  • Depending on the material
  • Special flatness specification is possible

Surface Quality

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

Coating Adherence & Abrasion

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

Maximum Dimensions

  • Up to a rectangle size of 1024 mm × 1270 mm
  • Up to a diameter of 600 mm

Aperture

  • The aperture can be up to 100%

Possible Mirror Shapes

  • Square or rectangular
  • The maximum possible diameter of round mirrors depends on the part thickness
  • Free shape designs
    (Feasibility depends on the thickness and quantity)

Product Codes

  • SEA-VIS (enhanced for visible light)
  • SEA-NIR (enhanced for the near-infrared light)

 

A shopping cart for a few fixed sizes or mirrors that just fit — what do you prefer?

Standard fixed sizes are rarely an optimal solution, which is why we specialize in the rapid production of customized, enhanced aluminum mirrors. You can order exactly the rectangular or diameter mirrors that fit your specific application. Short lead times are also available for larger quantities, as our company is specialized in rapid serial production. We even offer our 48-Hour Express Service for the manufacturing and delivery of most of our standard materials 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 often even faster than off-the-shelf catalog items are shipped. For this reason, we have deliberately refrained from implementing a shopping cart.


Besides the mirrors on this page, we provide metallic and dielectric mirror optics for many other optical tasks. If you are looking for UV front surface mirrors capable of reflecting ultraviolet light, please visit our SEA-UV data sheet.

 

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: April 17, 2025