Product Description
US Defense Research Laboratory Surplus Aerospace-Grade Gold-Coated Plano-Convex Mirror – Level 1 Certified Precision Optic
This pristine surplus plano-convex mirror originates from a premier U.S. Department of Defense R&D center renowned for breakthroughs in advanced optics, laser systems, and adaptive technologies. It features a specialized “M2 COATING” —a protected gold metallic layer optimized for secondary mirror applications in high-performance optical systems. The convex side delivers exceptional reflectance (>98% from ~700 nm to far-IR), making it durable for vacuum, high-power laser, or harsh environments without oxidation or degradation .
Key Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Geometry | Plano-convex (flat back, curved front) |
| Diameter | 72 mm |
| Edge Thickness | 10 mm |
| Center Sagitta (Bulge) | ~3 mm |
| Clear Aperture | 66 mm |
| Protective Flanges | ~3 mm wide gold-coated annulus around convex edge |
| Radius of Curvature | ~216 mm |
| Focal Length (Convex Side) | ~ -108 mm (diverging) |
| Focal Length (Back Surface) | ~ +108 mm (converging via back reflection) |
| Substrate Material | Fused silica (low thermal expansion, high stability) |
| Convex Coating | Protected gold metallic (“M2 COATING”) |
| Reflectivity | >98% from ~700 nm through far-IR |
| Plano Side | Uncoated / transmissive |
| Surface Quality | 10-5 scratch-dig per MIL-PRF-13830 |
| Wavefront Error | <λ/10 RMS |
| Laser Damage Threshold | >1 J/cm² (typical for protected gold) |
| Cleanliness | Class 100 equivalent |
| Certification | LEVEL 1 CERTIFIED to MIL-STD or NASA-equivalent standards |
| Markings | Edge engraved “S/N: 002” with arrow indicating convex side |
| Condition | Pristine; no scratches, chips, or handling marks |
| Packaging | Original packaging preserved |
Dual Functionality – Two Mirrors in One
This optic’s unique design enables reversible use, providing exceptional value and versatility:
| Configuration | Focal Length | Function |
|---|---|---|
| Convex Side (Front Reflection) | ~ -108 mm (diverging) | Beam expansion; wide-field imaging; secondary mirror in Cassegrain designs |
| Back Surface (Rear Reflection) | ~ +108 mm (converging) | Beam focusing; inverted image formation; alignment reference |
This dual-sided behavior offers:
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Two distinct optical functions from a single component
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Reduced setup complexity in experimental configurations
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Cost savings by eliminating need for separate mirrors
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Versatile testing without component swapping
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Perfect for alignment, focusing, or divergence control experiments
Material & Coating Advantages
Fused Silica Substrate:
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Ultra-low thermal expansion (0.55 x 10⁻⁶/°C) for dimensional stability across temperature extremes
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High purity (>99.9%) minimizes absorption and scatter
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Excellent transmission from UV through near-IR
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Superior mechanical strength and chemical durability
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Ideal for vacuum and high-power applications without distortion or outgassing
Protected Gold “M2 COATING” :
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98% average reflectivity from ~700 nm through far-IR
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Superior performance in infrared applications compared to aluminum or silver
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Protective overcoat provides exceptional durability against:
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Scratching and abrasion
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Oxidation and tarnishing
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High-energy laser beams
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Environmental contaminants
-
-
Maintains performance under vacuum and thermal cycling
-
Resistant to degradation in harsh environments
Level 1 Certification – What It Means:
This optic meets the most stringent cleanliness and quality standards:
| Parameter | Level 1 Requirement |
|---|---|
| Surface Quality | 10-5 scratch-dig (virtually defect-free) |
| Wavefront Error | <λ/10 RMS (near-diffraction-limited) |
| Cleanliness | Class 100 equivalent (<100 particles ≥0.5µm per cubic foot) |
| Laser Damage Threshold | >1 J/cm² (tested for high-power applications) |
| Environmental Durability | MIL-STD qualified |
This certification ensures suitability for:
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Space and vacuum applications
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High-power laser systems
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Precision interferometry
-
Mission-critical defense hardware
Features & Benefits
| Feature | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Protected Gold Coating | Superior IR reflectance; resistant to oxidation; durable for harsh environments |
| Dual-Sided Functionality | Both diverging and converging mirrors in one component; reduces setup complexity |
| Fused Silica Substrate | Thermal stability; minimal distortion; vacuum compatible |
| Level 1 Certification | Guaranteed quality; traceable to defense standards; mission-ready |
| S/N 002 Marking | Individual serialization; provenance indication |
| Protective Flanges | Minimizes edge scatter; reduces chipping risk during handling |
| Pristine Condition | No scratches or defects; stored in original packaging |
| Defense Lab Provenance | Authentic surplus from premier U.S. research facility |
Applications
Laser Wavelength Beam Combining (WBC) :
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Diverges or converges beams in high-power diode arrays
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Scales brightness for defense, manufacturing, or medical lasers
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Enables coherent beam combining architectures
Infrared Sensing and Spectroscopy :
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High IR reflectance for thermal imaging systems
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Atmospheric monitoring and chemical analysis
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Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy
Adaptive Optics and Turbulence Compensation :
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Used in airborne or space prototypes
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Corrects distortions on laser weapons and reconnaissance systems
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Testbed component for atmospheric compensation experiments
Custom Telescopes and Beam Expanders :
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Secondary (M2) mirror role in Cassegrain designs
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Wide-field viewing systems
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Beam management for laser communication terminals
Research and Testing :
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University photonics labs
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Startups developing laser or sensing technologies
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High-end hobbyist telescope projects
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Focus IR lasers from back surface; expand visible beams from front
Condition & Packaging
| Aspect | Description |
|---|---|
| Condition | PRISTINE – no scratches, chips, or handling marks |
| Optical Surfaces | Defect-free; coating uniform and intact |
| Edge Markings | “S/N: 002” with orientation arrow clearly visible |
| Protective Flanges | Intact; no chipping or damage |
| Packaging | Original packaging preserved for immediate deployment |
| Handling | Use gloves to preserve coatings |
⚠ HANDLING NOTE: This is a precision optical component with a protected gold coating. Handle only with gloves; avoid touching optical surfaces; store in clean environment when not in use.
| Weight | 2 lbs |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 8 × 6 × 4 in |
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