Frontoppervlakspiegels

Frontoppervlakspiegels, also known as first-surface mirrors, are a type of mirror where the reflective coating is applied to the front surface of the glass substrate. This is in contrast to conventional mirrors, or back-surface mirrors, where the reflective coating is applied to the rear surface of the glass. The primary advantage of a frontoppervlakspiegel is the elimination of double images. In a back-surface mirror, light must pass through the glass to the reflective coating and then back through the glass, causing a slight displacement and a faint secondary reflection. With a frontoppervlakspiegel, the reflection occurs directly at the front surface, resulting in a single, sharp image. This makes them ideal for applications where precise optical performance is critical, such as in telescopes, scientific instruments, and high-end photographic equipment. While they offer superior image quality, frontoppervlakspiegels are typically more expensive to produce and are more susceptible to damage and contamination on their reflective surface, requiring careful handling and cleaning procedures.