Knowledge

A mirror's substrate just holds its shape — the coating is what actually reflects the light, and it's the single biggest factor in how well a mirror performs. Metallic and dielectric coatings solve the same problem in very different ways, and the tradeoffs between them decide which one belongs in your system....

An optical mirror reflects light using a coated surface rather than refraction, which makes it useful anywhere a lens's chromatic aberration or transmission loss would get in the way. Choosing the right one comes down to two decisions: what surface shape you need, and what coating will reflect your wavelength efficiently. Key...

Glass wafers are thin, precisely polished discs used as substrates in MEMS, microfluidics, photolithography, and optical devices — anywhere a process needs the optical clarity, electrical insulation, or chemical stability that silicon alone can't provide. Key Specifications at a Glance Parameter Typical Value Common materials Fused silica/quartz, borosilicate, aluminosilicate, soda-lime Diameter 50...