Protected Gold Optical Mirrors
Last Updated: April 1, 2025
Description
Protected Gold Optical Mirrors are specialized optical components designed to reflect light across a broad spectral range. These mirrors are coated with a layer of gold, which is known for its high reflectivity, particularly in the infrared spectrum. The gold layer is then protected by an additional overcoat to enhance durability and resistance to abrasion, without compromising the mirror's reflective performance.
Working Principle
The working principle of Protected Gold Optical Mirrors is based on the high reflectivity of gold, which is capable of reflecting an average of 97% of light over the spectrum from 700 to 2000 nm . The protective overcoat serves to shield the gold layer from physical damage and environmental factors such as oxidation, which can degrade the mirror's performance over time . This makes them particularly useful in applications where both high reflectivity and durability are required.
Applications
Protected Gold Optical Mirrors are commonly used in applications that require high reflectivity in the infrared spectrum. Specific examples include their use in laser systems, where they help direct and focus laser beams with minimal loss of intensity . They are also employed in high-performance imaging systems, such as telescopes, where their ability to reflect infrared light is crucial for capturing detailed images of distant celestial objects .
Advantages over other Optical Mirrors
Compared to other metallic mirrors, Protected Gold Optical Mirrors offer superior reflectivity in the near-IR to far-IR regions, making them ideal for applications requiring high infrared performance . The protective overcoat provides additional abrasion resistance, which is a significant advantage over bare gold coatings that are prone to scratching . This combination of high reflectivity and durability makes them a preferred choice in demanding optical applications.
Limitations
Despite their advantages, Protected Gold Optical Mirrors have limitations. They are susceptible to aging and oxidation if the protective overcoat is compromised, which can affect their long-term performance . Additionally, they may not perform as well in the ultraviolet spectrum, where other coatings might be more effective .
Considerations
When considering the use of Protected Gold Optical Mirrors, several factors should be taken into account. The initial cost can be higher than other types of mirrors due to the use of precious metals and the additional protective coating . However, their durability and high performance in specific spectral ranges can justify the investment. Operating expenses may include regular maintenance to ensure the protective overcoat remains intact, as any damage could lead to reduced reflectivity and increased susceptibility to environmental degradation. Replacement and maintenance costs should also be considered, as these mirrors require careful handling to avoid scratches and other physical damage .
from Suzhou Jiujon Optics Co., Ltd
A Plano-concave mirror is a mirror that is flat (flat) on one side and concave on the other. This type of mirror is often used in laser particle counters because it focuses the laser beam, which helps in the precise detection and counting of small particles. The concave surface of the mirror... [See More]
- Mirror Coatings: Protected Gold
- Mirror Materials: BOROFLOAT
- Mirror Shape: Round
- Surface Quality: 60-40 Scratch / Dig
from CeNing Optics Co., Ltd.
Metallic Coatings are very broadband and relatively insensitive to incidence angle. They offer good performance at a low price. Although they are most commonly used, metallic reflective coatings are delicate and require crae during cleaning. They are only recommended for low power applications. The... [See More]
- Mirror Coatings: Uncoated (optional feature); Protected Aluminum; Protected Gold; Silver; VIS Enhanced, UV Enhanced
- Wavelength Range: 250 to 800
- Mirror Types: Flat Mirror; Parabolic Mirror (optional feature)
- Diameter/Width: 5 to 76.2
from Newport MKS
The 10DD20ER.4 is a D-shaped Gold Broadband Mirror with a 25.4 mm (1.0 inch) diameter, a thickness of 6.0 mm, and a flatness of λ/10. The mirror's straight edge allows multiple tightly packed beams or sources to be separated. The 10DD20ER.4 has a 40-20 surface quality and an average... [See More]
- Mirror Coatings: Protected Gold; Protected Gold
- Diameter/Width: 25.4
- Wavelength Range: 650 to 20000
- Thickness: 6
from Changchun Yutai Optics Co., Ltd.
Round or rectangular shape mirrors with flat or spherical surface, coated with protected gold, protected silver or protected aluminum. These mirrors provide a good combination of performance and value for general purpose applications,they are widely used due to a moderate level of reflection over a... [See More]
- Mirror Coatings: Protected Gold
- Mirror Shape: Round; Rectangular / Square
- Mirror Types: Flat Mirror; Spherical Mirror
- Mirror Materials: Fused Silica; H-K9L or fused silica
from Newport MKS
The 13E20ER.4 Broadband Gold Elliptical Mirror is an excellent general purpose, broadband reflector. This 33.02 mm (1.30 inch) minor axis, 46.70 mm (1.838 inch) major axis, elliptical mirror is made from a 9.37 mm thick Borofloat ® 33 substrate. Borofloat ® 33 has low thermal expansion and... [See More]
- Mirror Coatings: Protected Gold; Protected Gold
- Thickness: 9.4
- Wavelength Range: 650 to 20000
- Mirror Shape: Elliptical; Elliptical
from Newport MKS
The 18E20ER.4 Broadband Gold Elliptical Mirror is an excellent general purpose, broadband reflector. This 46.70 mm (1.838 inch) minor axis, 66.04 mm (2.60 inch) major axis, elliptical mirror is made from a 12.45 mm thick Borofloat ® 33 substrate. Borofloat ® 33 has low thermal expansion... [See More]
- Mirror Coatings: Protected Gold; Protected Gold
- Thickness: 12.5
- Wavelength Range: 650 to 20000
- Mirror Shape: Elliptical; Elliptical
from Newport MKS
This is a 10-pack of the very popular Broadband Gold Mirrors. These mirrors are excellent general purpose, broadband reflectors. The 12.7 mm (1/2 inch) diameter mirrors are made from a 3.1 mm thick Borofloat ® 33 substrate which is coated with the ER.4 gold coating. Borofloat ® 33 has low... [See More]
- Mirror Coatings: Protected Gold; Protected Gold
- Diameter/Width: 12.7
- Wavelength Range: 650 to 20000
- Thickness: 3.1
from Newport MKS
The 40D20ER.4 Broadband Gold Mirror is an excellent general purpose, broadband reflector. This 101.6 mm (4.0 inch) diameter mirror is made from a 17.7 mm thick Borofloat ® 33 substrate which is coated with the ER.4 gold coating. Borofloat ® 33 has low thermal expansion and is an excellent... [See More]
- Mirror Coatings: Protected Gold; Protected Gold
- Diameter/Width: 102
- Wavelength Range: 650 to 20000
- Thickness: 17.7
from Newport MKS
The 05SD520ER.4 is an Economy Broadband Gold Square Mirror. By taking advantage of advanced polishing techniques and our high-volume manufacturing, these mirrors are truly cost effective. This 12.7 x 12.7 mm (1/2 x 1/2 inch) square mirror is made from a 3.1 mm thick Borofloat ® 33 substrate... [See More]
- Mirror Coatings: Protected Gold; Protected Gold
- Thickness: 3.1
- Wavelength Range: 650 to 20000
- Mirror Shape: Rectangular / Square; Square
from Newport MKS
The UBBR1-1I Broadband Hollow Retroreflector is constructed of three front-surface flat mirrors assembled into a corner cube. A stress-free mounting technique is employed to ensure dimensional stability. This geometry results in a reflected beam that is precisely parallel to the incident beam,... [See More]
- Mirror Coatings: Protected Gold; Protected Gold
- Wavelength Range: 650 to 16000
- Mirror Types: Reflector
- Mirror Shape: Hollow Retroreflector
from Newport MKS
The UBBR2.5-1I Broadband Hollow Retroreflector is constructed of three front-surface flat mirrors assembled into a corner cube. A stress-free mounting technique is employed to ensure dimensional stability. This geometry results in a reflected beam that is precisely parallel to the incident beam,... [See More]
- Mirror Coatings: Protected Gold; Protected Gold
- Wavelength Range: 650 to 16000
- Mirror Types: Reflector
- Mirror Shape: Hollow Retroreflector
from Newport MKS
The Mirror Mount is combined with the 10D20ER.4 mirror. The M1 mount coupled with the 10D20ER.4 mirror is an ideal packaged set for standard laboratory applications. Note that each item will be packaged separately for shipment. M1 is a standard laboratory mirror mount, 1.0 inch in Diameter, with 2... [See More]
- Mirror Coatings: Protected Gold; Protected Gold
- Diameter/Width: 25.4
- Wavelength Range: 650 to 20000
- Thickness: 6
from Rainbow Research Optics, Inc.
Your One-Stop Source for Laser Optics. Highest Damage Threshold (LDT) Coatings. Laser Quality Substrates. Rainbow Research Optics, Inc. (RROI) specializes in manufacturing standard and custom laser optics for laser systems including CO2, Nd:YAG, and Excimer. RROI can produce high damage thresholds... [See More]
- Mirror Coatings: Aluminum; Protected Aluminum; Dielectric; Gold; Protected Gold; Silver
- Mirror Shape: Round; Rectangular / Square
- Mirror Types: Laser Mirror
- Mirror Materials: BK7 Glass; Fused Silica; Ultra-violet grade Fused Silica
from MOK Optics Co., Ltd.
MOK Optics have advanced technologies on coating, we can provide Dielectric Coated Mirror, Metal Coated Mirror, Dichroic Mirror etc. Dielectric Coated Mirror e.g. R >99.8%@1064nm, AOI=0°,Ravg >99%@400-700nm , AOI=45°Metal Coated Mirror ( Protected aluminum mirror, Enhanced aluminum mirror,... [See More]
- Mirror Coatings: Enhanced Aluminum; Protected Aluminum; Dielectric; Protected Gold; Silver; Dichroic
- Surface Flatness: λ/8
- Surface Quality: 10-5 Scratch / Dig; 20-10 Scratch / Dig; 40-20 Scratch / Dig; 60-40 Scratch / Dig
from Edmund Optics Inc.
Precision Fused Silica Substrate. Variety of Sizes and Coating Options Available. Low Coefficient of Thermal Expansion. 1/10 λ First Surface Mirrors are ideal for demanding beam steering and reflection applications in the visible and IR spectra. With a precision fused silica substrate, the... [See More]
- Mirror Coatings: Protected Gold
- Diameter/Width: 100
- Mirror Types: Flat Mirror
- Thickness: 10
from Shanghai Optics
A Convex Spherical Mirror is a mirror which curves inward away from the incident light. Shanghai Optics produces high quality convex spherical mirrors with a variety of diameters and focal lengths. These precision mirrors are ideal for imaging applications, specifically, for increasing an imaging... [See More]
- Mirror Coatings: Enhanced Aluminum; Protected Gold
- Mirror Materials: BK7 Glass; Fused Silica; Optical Crown Glass; Ultra-violet grade Fused Silica
- Mirror Types: Spherical Mirror
from Abrisa Technologies
The protected gold mirror coating reflects an average of 97% over the spectrum (700-2000nm). This coating can also be used for IR wavelength bands 3-5nm and 8-12nm. Metal mirror coatings are often used in systems where a very broadband reflector or beam splitter is needed. Metal coatings can also be... [See More]
- Mirror Coatings: Protected Gold
- Wavelength Range: 700 to 2000
- Mirror Types: Flat Mirror
- Mirror Shape: Rectangular / Square
from Qioptiq
Front surface gold mirror gold for the IR spectral range up to 25 µm. Resistant against environmental influences. Constant high reflection within a broad spectral and angle-of-incidence range without absorption bands. Average reflection > 98 % in the range of 0 ° ≤ AOI ≤ 60 °,... [See More]
- Mirror Coatings: Protected Gold
- Diameter/Width: 12.7 to 50
- Mirror Types: Laser Mirror
- Thickness: 3.5 to 10
from EKSMA OPTICS
Protected Gold (Au) Mirrors have the highest reflectance in infrared. Enhanced metallic coatings provide greater reflection across the operating bandwidth. *Laser Induced Damage Threshold results are measured according to ISO 21254-2: 1000-on-1 test procedure. LIDT - 1.0 J/cm2 at 1064 nm, 50 Hz, 11... [See More]
- Mirror Coatings: Protected Gold
- Diameter/Width: 12.7 to 76.2
- Mirror Types: Flat Mirror; Spherical Mirror
- Thickness: 3 to 12.7
from ECOPTIK (CHANGCHUN) LTD
BRD Optical provide the round, square and customized shape mirrors with a protected gold coating in various sizes. Protected gold is ideal for use in the IR wavelength range. A protective dielectric overcoat is layered over the gold to help protect it from damage and make cleaning easier. These... [See More]
- Mirror Coatings: Protected Gold
- Thickness: 1 to 20
- Wavelength Range: 800 to 20000
- Mirror Shape: Round
from Hangzhou Shalom Electro-optics Technology Co., Ltd.
Features: • Off-the-shelf and custom mirrors available. • Coating options: Enhanced Al, Protective Ag and Protective Au. • Flatness λ/10 and λ/4 options available. Shalom EO ’s N-BK7 Metallic Mirrors consist of N-BK7 substrates and Enhanced Al/Protective Ag /Protective... [See More]
- Mirror Coatings: Enhanced Aluminum; Protected Gold; Silver; Enhanced Al, Protective Ag and Protective Au
- Thickness: 3
- Diameter/Width: 12.7
- Mirror Materials: BK7 Glass; BK7
from UNI OPTICS(Fujian) Co., Ltd
1 、What Metallic Coated types can Uni-Optics supply?. Uni-Optics mainly offers four coating types, including: 1) UV Enhanced Aluminum : Ravg > 85% from 250nm to 400nm. 2) Protected Aluminum: Ravg > 87% from 400nm to 800nm. 3) Protected Silver: Ravg > 95% from 400nm to 20um. 4)... [See More]
- Mirror Coatings: Protected Gold
- Mirror Shape: Rectangular / Square
- Mirror Types: Flat Mirror
- Mirror Materials: BK7 Glass
from HG Optronics, Inc.
HG Optronics.,INC. can provide Metal Coated Mirror ，Dielectric Coated Mirror and Dichroic Mirror which are made of substrate such as BK7, Optical glass, Fused Silica, CaF2 and so on. 1.1. What Metallic Coated types can HG OPTRONICS supply?. HG OPTRONICS mainly offers four coating types,... [See More]
- Mirror Coatings: Protected Aluminum; Protected Gold; UV Enhanced Aluminum, Protected Aluminum, Protected Silver, Protected Gold
- Mirror Shape: Round
- Wavelength Range: 200 to 2500
- Mirror Materials: BK7 Glass; Fused Silica; Pyrex®
from Thorlabs, Inc.
At Thorlabs, we constantly reinforce our desire to serve at the pleasure of our customers. From this comes our desire to be connected to our industry in a way that far exceeds what would typically be expected of a vendor. Thorlabs lives this core principle by seeking to enhance, at every turn, the... [See More]
- Mirror Coatings: Enhanced Aluminum; Dielectric; Protected Gold; Silver
- Wavelength Range: 250 to 20000
- Mirror Types: Flat Mirror
- Diameter/Width: 12.7 to 25.4
from Hangzhou Shalom Electro-optics Technology Co., Ltd.
Features: • Off-the-shelf and custom mirrors available. • Coating options: Enhanced Al, Protective Ag and Protective Au. • Flatness λ/10 and λ/4 options available. Shalom EO ’s N-BK7 Metallic Mirrors consist of N-BK7 substrates and Enhanced Al/Protective Ag /Protective... [See More]
- Mirror Coatings: Enhanced Aluminum; Protected Gold; Silver; Enhanced Al, Protective Ag and Protective Au
- Thickness: 3
- Diameter/Width: 12.7
- Mirror Materials: BK7 Glass; BK7
from Thorlabs, Inc.
At Thorlabs, we constantly reinforce our desire to serve at the pleasure of our customers. From this comes our desire to be connected to our industry in a way that far exceeds what would typically be expected of a vendor. Thorlabs lives this core principle by seeking to enhance, at every turn, the... [See More]
- Mirror Coatings: Protected Gold
- Wavelength Range: 250 to 20000
- Mirror Types: Laser Mirror
- Diameter/Width: 12.7 to 50.8
from Hangzhou Shalom Electro-optics Technology Co., Ltd.
Features: • Off-the-shelf and custom mirrors available. • Coating options: Enhanced Al, Protective Ag and Protective Au. • Flatness λ/10 and λ/4 options available. Shalom EO ’s N-BK7 Metallic Mirrors consist of N-BK7 substrates and Enhanced Al/Protective Ag /Protective... [See More]
- Mirror Coatings: Enhanced Aluminum; Protected Gold; Silver; Enhanced Al, Protective Ag and Protective Au
- Thickness: 6
- Diameter/Width: 25.4
- Mirror Materials: BK7 Glass; BK7
from Thorlabs, Inc.
At Thorlabs, we constantly reinforce our desire to serve at the pleasure of our customers. From this comes our desire to be connected to our industry in a way that far exceeds what would typically be expected of a vendor. Thorlabs lives this core principle by seeking to enhance, at every turn, the... [See More]
- Mirror Coatings: Aluminum; Gold; Protected Gold; Silver
- Wavelength Range: 250 to 20000
- Mirror Types: Flat Mirror
- Diameter/Width: 7 to 102
from Hangzhou Shalom Electro-optics Technology Co., Ltd.
Features: • Off-the-shelf and custom mirrors available. • Coating options: Enhanced Al, Protective Ag and Protective Au. • Flatness λ/10 and λ/4 options available. Shalom EO ’s N-BK7 Metallic Mirrors consist of N-BK7 substrates and Enhanced Al/Protective Ag /Protective... [See More]
- Mirror Coatings: Enhanced Aluminum; Protected Gold; Silver; Enhanced Al, Protective Ag and Protective Au
- Thickness: 12
- Diameter/Width: 50.8
- Mirror Materials: BK7 Glass; BK7
from Thorlabs, Inc.
At Thorlabs, we constantly reinforce our desire to serve at the pleasure of our customers. From this comes our desire to be connected to our industry in a way that far exceeds what would typically be expected of a vendor. Thorlabs lives this core principle by seeking to enhance, at every turn, the... [See More]
- Mirror Coatings: Protected Gold; Silver
- Wavelength Range: 355 to 2250
- Mirror Types: Laser Mirror
- Diameter/Width: 12.7 to 50.8
from Hangzhou Shalom Electro-optics Technology Co., Ltd.
Features: • Off-the-shelf and custom mirrors available. • Coating options: Enhanced Al, Protective Ag and Protective Au. • Flatness λ/10 and λ/4 options available. Shalom EO ’s N-BK7 Metallic Mirrors consist of N-BK7 substrates and Enhanced Al/Protective Ag /Protective... [See More]
- Mirror Coatings: Enhanced Aluminum; Protected Gold; Silver; Enhanced Al, Protective Ag and Protective Au
- Thickness: 12
- Diameter/Width: 50.8
- Mirror Materials: BK7 Glass; BK7
from Hangzhou Shalom Electro-optics Technology Co., Ltd.
Features: • Off-the-shelf and custom mirrors available. • Coating options: Enhanced Al, Protective Ag and Protective Au. • Flatness λ/10 and λ/4 options available. Shalom EO ’s N-BK7 Metallic Mirrors consist of N-BK7 substrates and Enhanced Al/Protective Ag /Protective... [See More]
- Mirror Coatings: Enhanced Aluminum; Protected Gold; Silver; Enhanced Al, Protective Ag and Protective Au
from Hangzhou Shalom Electro-optics Technology Co., Ltd.
Features: • Off-the-shelf mirrors available. • Made of Corning UV grade Fused Silica. • Coating options: Enhanced Al, Protective Ag and Protective Au. • Flatness option: λ/10 and λ/4. Shalom EO ’s UV Fused Silica Metallic Mirrors consist of UV Fused Silica... [See More]
- Mirror Coatings: Enhanced Aluminum; Protected Gold; Silver; Enhanced Al, Protective Ag and Protective Au
- Surface Flatness: λ/4; λ/10