Custom optics are sometimes advertised as not only possessing high accuracy, but also as inexpensive; as if both were simultaneously achievable. In the world of optics, you get what you pay for. λ/8 wave first surface mirror glass offers a superior quality compared to other first surface mirrors on the market. λ/8 flatness is achieved by polishing float glass down to a flat surface, then coating with aluminum and the protective overcoat. Typically, what most of our competitors offer is simply on float glass, which is 4-6λ per inch. To the naked eye, the two mirrors look the same, but the quality of the λ/8 is immediately noticeable under magnification. The production of a high-quality optical component is an exacting process, requiring a high level of skill, quality equipment, and close attention to detail.

Our high quality optics are tested with an interferometer, which is a piece of equipment that is designed to be able to test a multitude of different shape optics (flat and curved). Flat optics have an advantage hat they can be tested utilizing a Master Optical flat, which is a propitiatory in-house process that allows testing of different areas of the mirror. The mirror is then measured at those areas and analyzes the areas that are most deviant from flat. As a result, the mirrors will typically be better than what is reported. 1/4″ glass can bend under its own weight, so all tests are performed with the mirror under minimal stress, supported so the glass is not bending under its own weight.