A mirror blank refers to the initial piece of material from which a mirror is made. It is typically a flat or slightly curved piece of glass or other substrate that serves as the starting point for crafting a mirror. Mirror blanks come in various shapes and sizes depending on the desired final mirror specifications.
The process of making a mirror involves several steps, starting with the shaping and grinding of the mirror blank to achieve the desired curvature and smoothness. After grinding, the mirror blank undergoes polishing to further refine its surface, reducing imperfections and achieving the necessary optical quality. Finally, the mirror is coated with a reflective material, such as aluminum or silver, to enable it to reflect light.
Mirror blanks are manufactured with high precision to ensure the final mirror meets the required specifications for optical performance. They are used in various applications, including telescopes, microscopes, cameras, laser systems, and other optical instruments where precise reflection of light is essential for imaging or analysis.