Quick Answer

Always wear clean gloves, use a gentle air duster first, and clean with optical-grade solvent and lens tissue in a single pass to avoid scratching your fused silica flat mirror.

Why Care Matters for Fused Silica Mirrors

Fused silica flat mirrors are polished to 1/10 wave surface accuracy with a 40/20 scratch/dig specification. Even a single mishandling can degrade performance. The protected silver coating on some models provides high reflectivity from 450–2000nm, but it is more delicate than uncoated glass.

Safe Handling & Cleaning Steps

  1. 1. Put on Clean Gloves: Use powder-free nitrile or latex gloves. Skin oils can etch the coating and attract dust. Never touch the mirror surface with bare fingers.
  2. 2. Remove Loose Dust with Compressed Air: Use a filtered air duster or a squeeze bulb. Hold the can upright and spray from a distance of 6–12 inches. Do not use canned air that may spray liquid propellant.
  3. 3. Prepare Cleaning Solution: Use an optical-grade solvent such as isopropyl alcohol (99% pure) or a dedicated lens cleaner. Apply to a lens tissue, never directly onto the mirror. Avoid household glass cleaners that contain ammonia or abrasives.
  4. 4. Wipe in a Single, Gentle Stroke: Fold a clean lens tissue, moisten it slightly, and drag it across the mirror surface in one continuous motion. Do not rub back and forth. Reusing a tissue can grind particles into the coating.
  5. 5. Inspect Under Bright Light: Hold the mirror at an angle under a bright white light. Look for streaks, lint, or remaining spots. Repeat steps 3–4 if necessary. If you see scratches, stop cleaning and consult the manufacturer.

Product Facts

  • Fused Silica Precision Quality Flat Mirrors, Protected Silver: Fused Silica Precision Quality Flat Mirrors, Protected Silver offer Ravg. >97.5% from 450–2000nm and Ravg. >97% from 2–10 microns, with 1/10 wave surface accuracy. The protected silver coating delivers broad spectral performance but requires gentle cleaning to avoid damaging the reflective layer.

    Fused Silica Precision Quality Flat Mirrors, Protected Silver

    Fused Silica Precision Quality Flat Mirrors, Protected Silver