Basic Properties of Metal Optics

William P. Barnes Jr.

doi:10.1117/12.7972048

1 August 1977 Basic Properties of Metal Optics

William P. Barnes Jr.

Author Affiliations +

Optical Engineering, Vol. 16, Issue 4, 164320 (August 1977). https://doi.org/10.1117/12.7972048

Abstract

The mirror of the first reflecting telescope was polished by Newton in a speculum metal substrate. Subsequent inventions of practical methods of "silvering" glass diverted attention from metal substrates for many decades, but new applications, new environments, and improvements in manufacturing technology have forced a relatively recent (10-15 year time scale) return to more extensive use of metal mirrors. This paper surveys the basic properties of metals of practical utility for mirror substrates. Desirable combinations of property values, or figures of merit, for different environmental applications are discussed. The extrinsic properties, i.e. those which may be peculiar to a particular manufacturing process for a given metal, or combinations of metals, may also affect the choice of material for a particular application and some of these are briefly noted.

Citation Download Citation

William P. Barnes Jr. "Basic Properties of Metal Optics," Optical Engineering 16(4), 164320 (1 August 1977). https://doi.org/10.1117/12.7972048

Published: 1 August 1977

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available