Ultra-Low Loss SuperMirrors™
  • Highest reflectivity and lowest losses of any commercially available mirrors
  • R >99.97% typical for high finesse mirrors
  • Optical loss <100 ppm
  • Superpolished to <1 Å rms microroughness
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DescriptionSpecifications Models Catalog PDF

SuperMirrors™ take advantage of our advanced superpolishing and ion-beam coating technology to provide the highest reflectivity and lowest losses of any commercially available mirrors. Optical loss is less than 100 parts per million (50 ppm typical). When used in etalons or optical cavities, these mirrors typically provide finesse levels in excess of 30,000 — approximately 30 times better than mirrors manufactured by standard techniques.

Our selection of ion-beam deposited coatings covers the spectral range of 583–1659 nm. The high finesse coatings have finesse greater than 10,000 and efficiency greater than 10% when used in carefully constructed cavities. The high transmission coatings have finesse greater than 5,000, and efficiency greater than 50%, when used in carefully constructed cavities. These coatings are deposited on 25.4 mm diameter UV grade fused silica substrates, either flat or concave with a 1.0 m radius of curvature. To maintain the 100 ppm performance level, extreme care must be taken when cleaning these mirrors (see next page).

To convert reflectivity (R) and transmission (T) to finesse (F) and efficiency (η), with absorption (A):




Bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF) for typical coated SuperMirror (courtesy of TMA Technologies, Inc. Bozeman, MT).


Surface profile of typical superpolished substrate.

Newport SuperMirror™ Technology

The difference between our SuperMirrors and conventional mirrors is the superpolished substrate and ion-beam sputtered coating. Advanced polishing techniques and meticulous handling are required to achieve surfaces with microroughness <1 Å rms. Ion-beam sputtered coating technology results in higher packing density of the thin films and superior stability. This lack of voids in the sputtered film yields ultra-low scatter and absorption.

Cleaning

The only cleaning operation recommended is the removal of dust with a low pressure filtered dry nitrogen nozzle. Cleaning techniques specifically developed for high performance optics may be used by qualified personnel. 100 ppm performance levels cannot be maintained if the optic is cleaned using standard techniques.