Mirrors

Polymer optical components are typically used as reflectors in applications such as LED light sources, deflection mirrors for scanners, or as deflection prisms for head-mounted displays.

Vapor-deposited thin metallic mirror layers are used as mirrors on front and back side. As effective and economical coating materials we use aluminum, silver and gold; also in combination with adjusted protective coatings.

Aluminum is particularly suitable for broadband reflectors in VIS (visible) to deep IR (infrared) ranges. With additional protective coatings it can be used under fastidious environmental conditions such as condensing dampness.
In combination with dielectric coatings, aluminium can improve its reflectivity needed for special applications.

Gold mirrors have superior reflective properties for the long term in the IR spectral range.

Silver is mainly used for applications with moderate environmental requirements and with very good reflective values.

Reflection of metallic coatings can be a disadvantage for certain optical applications. For these cases, dielectric coatings for polymers can be realized for certain wavelength ranges.