Concave Mirror
Concave Mirrors are precision optical mirrors with a curved reflective surface designed to focus or collect light. By controlling the curvature radius and focal length, they provide accurate beam focusing and imaging performance. Chenyu Optics manufactures concave mirrors in BK7, fused silica and low expansion glass with custom curvature and coating options.
Concave Mirror Overview
Concave Mirrors are precision optical mirrors with a curved reflective surface designed to focus or collect light. By controlling the curvature radius and focal length, they can provide accurate beam focusing and imaging performance.
With excellent surface accuracy, low wavefront distortion and precise curvature control, concave mirrors are widely used in laser systems, telescopes, spectroscopy instruments and optical imaging systems requiring high reflectivity and precise optical focusing.
Chenyu Optics supports custom concave mirror manufacturing according to customer drawings, including substrate, radius of curvature, focal length, dimensions and coating selection. Explore our Optical Mirrors, Spherical Mirror and Custom Optical Mirror capabilities for related reflective optics.
Key Advantages of Concave Mirror
Laser Focusing & Telescope Systems
Concave mirrors are widely used for precise light focusing in laser focusing systems, telescope primary mirrors and astronomical optical instruments.
Typical Specifications of Concave Mirror
| Substrate Materials | Fused silica, N-BK7 or equivalent optical glass, Zerodur or other low-expansion glass, and custom substrates subject to review |
|---|---|
| Mirror Geometry | Concave spherical surface; other curved profiles available as custom designs |
| Diameter Range | Custom, drawing-defined; final capability depends on substrate, radius, thickness, surface figure and quantity |
| Radius of Curvature | Custom positive radius magnitude for the concave reflective surface; specify the drawing sign convention |
| Focal Length | Custom; for a spherical mirror in air, paraxial focal length is approximately R/2 |
| Surface Quality | Typically 40-20 or 20-10 scratch-dig; tighter requirements reviewed by application |
| Surface Figure | Up to λ/10 at 632.8 nm where substrate, diameter and curvature permit; drawing-defined test aperture and reference required |
| Clear Aperture | Drawing-defined; specify the usable coated optical aperture and edge exclusion |
| Centration | Optical axis to mechanical diameter or datum controlled according to the customer drawing and inspection method |
| Coating Options | Protected or enhanced aluminum, protected silver, and wavelength-specific or broadband dielectric mirror coatings |
| Wavelength Range | UV, visible, NIR or IR according to substrate and coating design; specify wavelength band, AOI and polarization |
| Custom Tolerance Capability | Custom diameter, thickness, radius, focal length, surface figure, surface quality, clear aperture, centration, bevel, coating and inspection requirements subject to DFM review |
REFLECTANCE CURVE (TYPICAL, BY COATING)
Why Choose Chenyu Optics for Concave Mirror
Chenyu Optics focuses on drawing-based precision mirror manufacturing for laser, imaging, telescope and industrial optical systems. We support prototype verification, small-batch production and repeat manufacturing for non-standard concave mirrors.
Manufacturing Capability for Concave Mirror
Precision Curvature Processing
Controlled curvature generation and polishing for surface accuracy, surface quality and precise focal length control.
Reflective Coating
Protected aluminum, protected silver and dielectric mirror coatings selected according to wavelength and power requirements.
Inspection & Packaging
Curvature and focal length verification, dimensional inspection, optical performance checking and clean protective packaging before shipment.
Custom Manufacturing Options for Concave Mirror
Curvature & Focal Length
Curvature radius and focal length can be customized according to system layout, working distance and imaging requirements.
Dimensions & Surface Quality
Custom diameter, center thickness, edge thickness, surface accuracy and surface quality can be specified per customer drawing.
Coating Selection
Protected Aluminum Mirror, protected silver and Dielectric Mirror coatings can be specified according to wavelength, angle of incidence, polarization, laser power and environment. Review additional options on our Optical Coating capability page.
Concave Mirror Material Comparison
| BK7 | Fused Silica | Low Expansion Glass | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thermal Stability | Moderate thermal stability | Excellent, low thermal expansion | Very low thermal expansion, designed for thermal stability |
| Mechanical Notes | Widely available, cost-effective substrate | High homogeneity, good laser damage resistance | Dimensionally stable under temperature fluctuation |
| Typical Use | General visible-range focusing, cost-sensitive systems | UV to NIR laser and imaging systems, high-power applications | Telescope mirrors, precision optical cavities, thermally sensitive setups |
| Selection Note | Preferred for general visible-range applications with lower cost requirements | Preferred when high laser damage threshold and broadband performance are required | Preferred when dimensional stability under temperature change is critical |
Applications of Concave Mirror
Laser Focusing Systems
Precise focusing optics for laser beam shaping and resonator applications.
Telescope Primary Mirrors
High surface accuracy mirrors for astronomical light collection.
Imaging Optical Systems
Precision focusing elements for imaging instrument design.
Spectroscopy Instruments
Reflective focusing optics for spectroscopic measurement systems.
Optical Measurement Equipment
Precision curved mirrors for measurement and metrology systems.
Astronomical Optical Systems
High-accuracy focusing mirrors for research and observation instruments.
Concave Mirror FAQ
What is a concave mirror?
A concave mirror is a reflective optical element whose coated surface curves inward. It collects or focuses incident light and is used in imaging, laser, telescope, spectroscopy and measurement systems.
How is focal length related to radius of curvature?
For a spherical concave mirror in air under the paraxial approximation, the focal length is approximately one-half of the radius of curvature: f ≈ R/2. Real system performance also depends on aperture, conjugates, surface figure and alignment.
Which coatings are available?
Available options include protected or enhanced aluminum, protected silver, and wavelength-specific or broadband dielectric coatings. Selection depends on wavelength range, target reflectivity, angle of incidence, polarization, laser power and environment.
Can concave mirrors be customized?
Yes. Chenyu Optics can manufacture drawing-defined concave mirrors with custom substrate, diameter, thickness, radius of curvature, focal length, surface quality, surface figure, clear aperture, centration and coating.
What information is needed for a quotation?
Please provide the substrate, diameter and thickness, radius of curvature or focal length, surface quality, surface figure, clear aperture, centration or datum requirement, coating wavelength range, AOI, polarization, quantity and drawing.
Related Products for Concave Mirror
Need Custom Concave Mirrors?
Send us your drawing, curvature radius or focal length, dimensions, coating requirements and quantity. Chenyu Optics will review the optical and mechanical specifications and provide a suitable concave mirror manufacturing suggestion.