Optical mirrors reflect visible light in devices such as cameras and telescopes. They are made from glass or plastic and coated with reflective substances. Mirrors can filter out certain wavelengths of light and split light in different directions. They are used in personal mirrors, microscopes, telescopes, and laser-based devices.
An optical mirror is a type of mirror used to reflect visible light in optical devices such as cameras and telescopes. These instruments typically use an optical mirror to filter out the harmful effects of reflected light or to send the displayed light to both an eyepiece and work tool without distortion. These mirrors are also common in areas where infinite space is needed for a beam of light; two mirrors can be placed parallel to each other so that light can bounce back and forth forever.
The manufacturing process of an optical mirror typically begins with a sheet of glass or plastic. Glass is generally the preferred base material, but some applications require a denser or more heat resistant material, so plastic is used. If the mirror needs a specific shape, it is usually formed while still a sheet to avoid damage to the reflective surface.
After the plate has been properly shaped, one side of the plate is covered with a reflective substance. Historically, this was tin, mercury or silver, but today aluminum is the most commonly used reflective substance. Mirrors with specific light reflecting properties, such as those used for scientific experimentation, are coated with any number of other chemicals, each with its own individual properties.
The quality of an optical mirror is often very easy to test. If a small object is touched to the glass, such as a fingertip or the end of an unsharpened pencil, the reflection will show the overall quality of the surface. The distance between the real image and the reflected one shows the depth of the glass; a ghost image indicates that the panel is likely made of poor quality plastic or glass, and any color variation indicates a poor reflective coating. A good mirror will have a noticeable thickness and no variation or ghosting.
The primary purpose of an optical mirror is the reflection of light, but that’s not all. Mirrors with a specific reflective coating can filter out certain wavelengths of light, making the light safer to view. Also, a properly aligned set of mirrors can split visible light in two different directions. This allows a person to observe light while still bringing light into a central instrument, such as a camera.
People use optical mirrors for a variety of reasons. Almost all personal mirrors, such as those in the bathroom or in the car, are a type of optical mirror. These mirrors are common inside cameras, microscopes, and non-digital telescopes, as well as almost any other device with a standard eyepiece. They are also used in almost all laser-based devices, from the common laser pointer up to military targeting systems.
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