Optical Mirror Cleaning Procedures

Optical Mirror Cleaning Procedures

General Cleaning Procedures for Optical Reflectors

Electroformed reflectors are optical elements used in various systems and environments.

Applications range from motion picture projectors, stage lights, and searchlights, to microlithography illumination systems and medical or scientific instruments.

Contamination of the reflective surface occurs in a multitude of ways. The contaminant may be as simple as dust from a laboratory atmosphere or as severe as stains and water spots from outdoor use. It can also result from photopolymerization of vapors by the ultraviolet irradiance from the lamps.

Cleaning must begin with an assessment of the nature of contamination, mitigated by the type of surface to be cleaned. Cleaning involves a sequence of operations which may include all of the following, or optionally; steps may be omitted if considered superfluous based upon the initial assessment.

Methods for Cleaning

Precautions

Approved Cleaning Materials

 

The chart below shows the recommended cleaning procedures for reflectors with a specific coating. It is extremely important that you know which coating your reflector has prior to cleaning.

Cleaning Procedures for Optical Mirrors

ClassMinimum Thickness, µm
0.250.25
0.500.50
0.750.75
1.01.0
1.251.25
2.52.5
5.05.0

These recommendations are only general guidelines and Optiforms is not liable for any damage caused during a cleaning operation. Please use caution when cleaning your reflectors.

Technical Resources

Electroformed Optics
What is Electroforming
Electroforming Definitions
Optical Coatings
Optical Components
Perkin Elmer
How to Clean Optical Mirrors
Proper Handling of Optical Mirrors

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