Aluminum or Gold First Surface Mirrors

[imagelab]

I am currently building a beamsplit system with a green diode laser and require a small (5mm x 5mm) mirror. I am not very versed in mirrors/optics, so I was wondering how much of the beam integrity will be lost in an aluminum or gold first surface mirror versus a regular first surface laser diode mirror. Apparently, it is pretty difficult to find a first surface mirror in the size that I am looking for. Here are the links at the two products. Ideally, I would like to have a normal mirror in 5mm x 5mm. But if the aluminum or gold will be fine without losing the beam quality, I can live with it.

Laser Diode Mirrors - Edmund Optics

versus

TECHSPEC® 1/4 Wave First Surface Mirrors - Edmund Optics

Thanks for the help.

 

[LarryDFW]

imagelab;

Gold mirrors are normally only used on IR wavelengths.

I use & sell quite a few FS mirrors. They are larger (1.5") than the ones you need, but good reflectivity(~94%).

I would keep looking for surplus optics. (Surplus Shed)

www.surplusshed.com

LarryDFW

 

[ndrew2505]

hey larry do the mirrors you have get >90% with all wavelengths and do you have mounts?

 

[Krutz]

for experimenting, you may as well find first-surface-mirrors in scanners, laserprinters and photocopiers. they all should have decent surface-quality (because they "scan"), and should be durable as well. as for the surface-material, I guess aluminum. they mostly are long, perhaps one cm wide, but can easily be cut with a glasscutter.
which you can do with Larry's mirror as well, of course, if you want known high reflectance.

manuel

 

[LarryDFW]

Drew;

The FS mirrors are from Minolta optical assemblies that are speced for the entire visual spectrum (400 to 700nm).

They are in nylon mounts held by 4 machine screws. The mounts hold the mirrors at 2 different fixed angles.

I like the larger size for easy mounting on 40mm computer fans (without mounts),
and the ability to use two different color lasers on the same spirograph.

Reflection is AC vent in ceiling.

LarryDFW

 

[Bionic-Badger]

I saw this pretty cool DIY tutorial for making front-surface mirrors. It's not going to be as top-notch as a mirror from Edmund's, but it'll do for a lot of things.

 

[Markus Unread]

There's Meredith Instruments - The source for laser surplus and on Ebay.
I just ordered some front surface mirrors from them.