New HeNe&Argon Laser Mirrors-R,G,B, Broadband HRs/OCs, SFPI, Ruby Perhaps, More

Red (633  nm) Mirrors:

These are several types of red (633 nm) HeNe High Reflector ((HR) and Output Coupler (OC) mirrors made for Melles Griot.  These were intended to be used for red HeNe laser tubes and are of extremely high quality, among the best available.

OCs are AR-coated while the HR's are not.  The reflectance of the OCs at the design wavelength is typically greater than 98.5%. It is greater than 99.9% for the HRs.

It will typically be 90 percent or more up to an incidence angle of at least 30 to 35 degrees.

The design wavelength is 633 nm, but they should be usable over a modest range of wavelengths, which may be several 10s of nm on at least one side of the center wavelength, but which side and how far is not predictable without testing.

The following are available. (Reflectances are at normal incidence):

• 633 nm HR: Planar, 45 cm, 60 cm, and 120 cm RoC.  Typical reflectance >99.9% at 633 nm. 7.75 mm in diameter.  Lot of 2 or lot of 25.

• 633 nm OC: 45 cm and 200 cm RoC.  Typical reflectance is 97.5-98.5% at 633 nm. 7.75 mm in diameter.  Lot of 2.

• 633 nm 45 cm RoC HR and OC.  The reflectance of the OC is 97.5-98.5% at 633 nm. 7.75 mm in diameter, lot of 1 set.

• 633 nm High-Q HR: 60 cm RoC.  Typical reflectance >99.99% at 633 nm.  7.75 mm in diameter.  Lot of 1.

• 633 nm Planar HR.  6.0 mm in diameter.  Lot of 2.

• 633 nm OC: 27 cm RoC.  Typical reflectance >97.5% at 633 nm.  NOTE: R% and T% based on TESTING WITH 633 nm Laser: 97.6%R/2.4%T but there can be some range in actual values. I have heard that if  these are baked at high temperature, the reflectivity will change to around 98.9%R/2.1%T.  No more details, but don't mix them up with your chocolate chips! :)   6.0 mm in diameter. Lot of 2 or lot of 20.

• 590-640 nm OC.  Typical reflectance across this range is greater than 99.5%. 7.75 mm in diameter. Lot of 1.

Note: The usable (coated) diameter for the 7.75 mm diameter mirrors is typically 6 mm or more but some may be lower (mostly the "broadband" mirrors) as shown in the third photo.  Ask if you require as much as possible.  These mirrors are intended for lasers where the actual beam diameter is less than 1.5 mm.

These mirrors can be used for other laser and optics applications including as turning mirrors for red beams.  And as overpriced rainbow colored fish tank stones for your flamboyant tropical fish. ;-)

Except where explicitly noted or for the mirror assortments, the purchase price for a lot is for mirrors OF THE SAME TYPE ONLY PLEASE.

Green (544 nm) and Yellow (594 nm) Mirrors:

These are several types of green (543 nm) or yellow (594 nm) HeNe High Reflector ((HR) and Output Coupler (OC) mirrors made for Melles Griot.  These were intended to be used for green and yellow HeNe laser tubes and are of extremely high quality, among the best available.

OCs are AR-coated while the HR's are not.  The reflectance at the design wavelength is greater than 99.8% even for the OCs, greater than 99.9% for the HRs, and 90 percent  or more up to an incidence angle of at least 30 to 35 degrees.

Note: The usable (coated) diameter for 7.75 mm diameter mirrors is typically 6 mm or more but some may be lower as shown in the third photo.  Ask if you require as much as possible.  These mirrors are intended for laser tubes where the actual beam diameter is less than 1.5 mm.

The design wavelengths are 543 nm and 594 nm, but they should be usable over a modest range of wavelengths. Specifically, the 543 nm mirrors have been tested at 532 nm and work well there so they should be useful for the most common green DPSS laser wavelength.  The 594 nm OC has a reflectance greater than 99.5% (at normal incidence) up through 650 nm.  And the 594 nm HRs test nearly perfect HR at 532 nm.  I can't really test them in between but expect the reflectance to be similarly high.

Note that many of the specific wavelength OCs are out of stock.  However, selected broadband mirrors may be acceptable substitutes if a 1 m RoC can be used.

The following green and yellow mirrors are available (reflectances are at normal incidence):

• 543 nm OC: 100 cm RoC, 140 cm RoC (unable to measure precisely).  Typical reflectance >99.8% at 543 nm.  7.75 mm diameter, Lot of 2.
• 543 nm HR: 500 cm RoC, planar.  Typical reflectance >99.9% at 543 nm.  7.75 mm diameter, Lot of 2.
• 543 nm HR: 200 cm RoC, planar.  Typical reflectance >99.9% at 543 nm.  7.75 mm diameter, Lot of 2.

• 594 nm OC: 100 cm RoC. Typical reflectance >99.8% at 594 nm and 99.4% at 633 nm.  7.75 mm diameter, set of OC and matching HR, below.
  
• 594 nm HR: 500 cm RoC. Typical reflectance >99.9% at 594 nm AND 543 nm.  7.75 mm diameter, Lot of 2 or lot of 25.

All are 7.75 mm in diameter.

It is possible that a set of HR/OC for yellow or green would work in SP-120, SP-124, or SP-107/127/907 lasers but this has not been confirmed and is not guaranteed because yellow and green HeNes generally have a different gas-fill to optimize gain at 594 and 543 nm.  The SP-107/127/907 resonator is 93 cm in length, just under the 1 meter RoC of the 594 nm OC mirrors, so it would be very close to hemispherical.  A pair of the 5 m HRs may have a better chance.  Getting anything out of the green mirrors is even less likely, but at this price, experimentation is low risk.  The same comments apply to the Siemens/LASOS LGK-7676 and similar lasers.

These mirrors can also be used for other laser and optics applications including as turning mirrors for green or yellow beams - the RoCs are so large that even the curved mirrors will have minimal effect on most beams.  And as overpriced multicolored fish tank stones for your flamboyant tropical fish, but make sure they understand the benefits! ;-)

Only limited quantities of some of these are available - get 'em while you can! :)    It's probably best to ask before buying.  Additional lots beyond what are shown may be available depending on type.

HeNe Mirror Assortments:

• For one-Brewster and one-perpendicular window tubes: Minimum of 8 mirrors including HRs and OCs, as well as one (1) 7.75 mm to 1 inch adapter.
• For two-Brewster and two-perpendicular window tubes: Minimum of 12 mirrors including HRs and OCs, as well as two (2) 7.75 mm to 1 inch adapters.

This assumes tubes with a length of at least 8-9 inches (20-25 cm).  Not all the OCs will have a high enough %R for shorter tubes.  These are mostly 633 nm mirrors but at least one 594-633 nm broadband mirror will be included.  Lasing at 594 nm is unlikely with the typical Brewster tube, but some 612 or 604 nm coherent photons may be possible.

Possible Ruby Laser Cavity Optics:

These have been tested to be near-HR (almost certainly >99%) for the HRs and >90% at 694 nm for the OC.  However, I have no way to determine if these will survive pulsed operation.

• 633 nm 45 cm, 60 cm, 120 cm, or Planar HR with 100 cm OC: The cost is for one pair.  Any of these combinations should work with the typical short ruby cavity.  However, the planar would have the largest intra-cavity mode diameter.
  

Blue (457-488 nm) Mirrors:

These are new/NOS 488 nm HR and OC mirrors intended for blue/green argon ion lasers but may have applications for 488 nm DPSS lasers as well.

Two types are available

• HR@488 nm, >98%R at 473 nm and 532 nm, 60 cm RoC.  7.75 mm diameter, lot of 2.
• OC@488 nm, 95.5-96.5%, 1.4 m RoC.  7.75 mm diameter, lot of 2.

The second surface of the HR mirrors is uncoated and appears to be planar.

The reflectance should be similar up to an incidence angle of at least 25 degrees or more.

IMPORTANT: I am unable test these in an argon ion laser so I am NOT guaranteeing their performance there.  However, I would expect them to be satisfactory for at least 488 and 514 nm.