GM15-K9 Elliptical Mirror

Overview

The GM15-K9 Elliptical Mirror is a precision optical component engineered for high-fidelity beam transfer and focus re-imaging in demanding optical systems. Based on the geometric property of an ellipse—where light originating from one focal point is reflected with near-unitary efficiency to the conjugate focal point—this mirror eliminates the need for multi-element focusing assemblies in compact or alignment-sensitive configurations. Fabricated from precision-annealed K9 borosilicate crown glass (Schott BK7 equivalent), it offers excellent homogeneity, low bubble/inclusion content, and thermal stability suitable for laboratory, industrial metrology, and laser-based instrumentation. Its λ/10 surface figure at 633 nm ensures minimal wavefront distortion, while the 10-5 scratch-dig surface quality (per ISO 10110-7) supports diffraction-limited performance in visible to near-infrared applications.

Key Features

• Precision elliptical geometry optimized for exact focal conjugation—enables single-mirror imaging between two defined spatial locations without intermediate optics.
• λ/10 surface figure tolerance at HeNe wavelength (633 nm), verified via interferometric testing under controlled environmental conditions.
• Surface flatness maintained across the active aperture with parallelism error < 1 arcminute, critical for angular alignment stability in folded-path systems.
• Back surface fine-ground finish minimizes stray reflections and facilitates mechanical mounting without ghosting artifacts.
• Protective 45° edge chamfer (0.2–0.5 mm) prevents chipping during handling and integration, conforming to MIL-PRF-13830B edge quality guidelines.
• Multiple dielectric-enhanced metallic coating variants available—including Al/SiO₂ (350–2000 nm), Ag/SiO₂ (450–2000 nm), and Au/SiO₂ (700–16000 nm)—each deposited via electron-beam evaporation and qualified per ISO 9211-3.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The GM15 series mirrors are compatible with standard kinematic mounts, lens tubes, and optical breadboards using M4 or M6 threaded holes (custom mounting options available upon request). All substrates meet ISO 10110-3 specifications for stress birefringence ( 91.5% @ 587.6 nm). Coated variants comply with ISO 9211-4 for environmental durability (humidity, abrasion, adhesion) and undergo spectral reflectance verification across their designated operational bands. The manufacturing process adheres to ISO 9001-certified quality control protocols, with full traceability for each serial-numbered unit. No RoHS-restricted substances are used in substrate fabrication or coating deposition.

Software & Data Management

While the GM15-K9 Elliptical Mirror is a passive optical element and requires no embedded firmware or driver software, comprehensive optical design support is provided. Each product shipment includes a calibrated spectral reflectance report (measured via PerkinElmer Lambda 1050+ spectrophotometer), interferometric surface map (Zygo GPI interferometer), and dimensional inspection certificate (CMM-measured minor/major axes and thickness). Digital assets—including Zemax-compatible .ZBF files, STEP models for mechanical integration, and coating dispersion data (.DAT format)—are accessible via secure customer portal login. Audit trails for calibration records and coating batch logs are retained for 10 years to support GLP/GMP-regulated environments.

Applications

• Laser cavity design: Used as end mirrors in folded resonators where spatial mode overlap and thermal lensing compensation require precise focal mapping.
• Spectroscopic instrumentation: Enables compact light collection paths in FTIR, Raman, and LIBS systems by relaying sample excitation and signal collection through a shared focal plane.
• Ellipsometry and scatterometry: Serves as a stable, low-aberration relay optic in multi-angle reflectance measurement setups.
• Vacuum-compatible beam delivery: With appropriate coating selection (e.g., protected silver), deployed in UHV-compatible EUV pre-optics and synchrotron beamlines.
• Educational optics labs: Demonstrates conic section properties, Gaussian beam transformation, and aberration-free imaging principles in undergraduate and graduate curricula.

FAQ

What is the maximum incident angle for optimal focal conjugation performance?

For diffraction-limited operation, incidence should remain within ±5° of the designed chief ray angle; larger angles induce coma and astigmatism due to departure from paraxial approximation.
Can these mirrors be used in ultra-high vacuum (UHV) environments?

Yes—when specified with ion-assisted e-beam deposited protected silver or gold coatings and cleaned per ASTM F1249, they exhibit outgassing rates below 1×10⁻⁹ Pa·m³/s·cm² per ESCO standard testing.
Is custom focal length or off-axis geometry available?

Custom elliptical geometries—including non-standard focal separation, tilted mounts, or aspheric corrections—are available under OEM agreement with minimum order quantity and extended lead time.
How is surface cleanliness validated prior to shipment?

Each mirror undergoes Class 100 cleanroom wipe testing followed by dark-field inspection under 100× magnification; contamination levels are documented per ISO 14644-1 Class 5 requirements.
Do you provide mounting adapters or kinematic cells?

Standard SM1-threaded kinematic mirror mounts (Thorlabs KM100-compatible) and custom CNC-machined holders are offered as optional accessories with full dimensional drawings and thermal expansion coefficients.