Spherical Mirrors
Spherical mirrors are essential optical components with various applications in different fields. Here’s a summary of the key information about spherical mirrors based on your description:
Types of Spherical Mirrors
- Concave Spherical Mirrors: These mirrors curve inward and have a reflective surface that can focus light. They have a positive focal length and a positive radius of curvature. Concave mirrors magnify objects that are close to them.
- Convex Spherical Mirrors: These mirrors curve outward and typically make objects appear smaller than they are. They have a negative focal length and a negative radius of curvature. Convex mirrors are often used to expand the field of view in imaging systems.
Spherical Mirrors
Spherical Mirror Terminology
- Principal Axis: The line that is perpendicular to the center of the mirror.
- Vertex (Pole): The central point where the principal axis enters the mirror.
- Center of Curvature: The point on the principal axis is equidistant from every point on the mirror’s surface. It’s also the center of the sphere from which the mirror is cut.
- Radius of Curvature: The distance from the center of curvature to the vertex.
- Focus (Focal Point): The point where parallel rays of light either converge (in the case of concave mirrors) or appear to diverge from (in the case of convex mirrors).
Focal Length
- The distance along the principal axis from the vertex to the focus. For a single spherical mirror, the focal length is always half the radius of curvature.
Spherical Aberration
- Spherical mirrors can exhibit spherical aberration, which is a distortion in the image caused by the variation in the focal length for different points on the mirror’s surface. This effect becomes more significant as rays strike the mirror further from the principal axis.
Manufacturing Concave Mirrors
- Avantier uses computer-controlled sub-aperture tools for precise spherical surface manufacturing.
- Post-processing techniques are employed to reduce surface roughness and wavefront errors.
- Controlled polishing methods and engineering techniques are used to meet tight specifications.
Custom Spherical Mirrors
- Avantier offers custom solutions for spherical mirrors if their in-stock options don’t meet specific requirements.
- Their design team can collaborate with customers to determine ideal specifications and create optical systems that meet specific needs.
- The manufacturing facility is equipped with advanced equipment, and quality checks are performed on all optics produced.
Factory Standard
Spherical Tolerance |
λ/4 |
Diameter |
+0, -0.2mm |
Surface Quality |
40-20 |
Clear Aperture |
>90% diameter |
Radius of Curvature |
+2% |
Bevel |
0.2mmx45°typical |
Thickness |
+0.2mm |
Material |
BK7 |
Durability |
to MIL-C-675 |
Reflectance |
R>85% (350-1550nm) |
Concave Spherical Mirrors
Radius of Curvature, R (mm) | Diameter, D(Inches) | Diameter, D(mm) | Edge, Te (mm) | Center, TC (mm) |
50 | 1 | 25.4 | 7 | 5.4 |
50 | 1.97 | 50 | 13 | 6.3 |
50 | 2 | 50.8 | 13 | 6.3 |
100 | 0.98 | 25 | 5 | 4.2 |
100 | 1 | 25.4 | 5 | 4.2 |
100 | 1.97 | 50 | 10 | 6.8 |
100 | 2 | 50.8 | 10 | 6.8 |
250 | 0.98 | 25 | 5 | 4.7 |
250 | 1 | 25.4 | 5 | 4.7 |
250 | 1.97 | 50 | 8 | 6.7 |
250 | 2 | 50.8 | 8 | 6.7 |
500 | 0.98 | 25 | 5 | 4.8 |
500 | 1 | 25.4 | 5 | 4.8 |
500 | 1.97 | 50 | 8 | 7.4 |
500 | 2 | 50.8 | 8 | 7.4 |
1000 | 0.98 | 25 | 5 | 4.9 |
1000 | 1 | 25.4 | 5 | 4.9 |
1000 | 1.97 | 50 | 8 | 7.7 |
1000 | 2 | 50.8 | 8 | 7.7 |
2000 | 0.98 | 25 | 5 | 5 |
2000 | 1.97 | 50 | 7.8 | 8 |
4000 | 0.98 | 25 | 5 | 5 |
4000 | 1.97 | 50 | 7.9 | 8 |
Our optical engineers are available to provide Spherical mirror consulting and can help you design and produce a mirror that best matches your application. Please contact Avantier if you’d like to schedule a consultation or request for a quote on your next project.
WE CAN HELP YOU!
Contact us NOW for sales & expert advice.