Peegelpinna

Peegelpinna is an Estonian term meaning "mirror surface" and is used to describe any surface that reflects light in a predominantly specular (angle-preserving) manner. In optics and everyday language it refers to smooth, highly reflective finishes that produce clear images by obeying the law of reflection: the angle of incidence equals the angle of reflection relative to the local surface normal.

Physically, the appearance and performance of a peegelpinna depend on material reflectivity, surface roughness at wavelengths of interest, and any thin-film coatings. Metals such as silver and aluminum provide high broadband reflectance for visible and infrared light, while dielectric coatings are applied to enhance reflectivity at selected wavelengths or to protect the underlying layer from oxidation and abrasion.

Peegelpinnad are integral to many applications including household mirrors, optical instruments (telescopes, microscopes), imaging systems, laser optics, and architectural facades. Manufacturing techniques range from glass polishing and metal deposition to precision machining and ion-beam figuring for high-precision optics. Quality is assessed by parameters such as reflectance, surface figure, roughness, and scattering.

Maintenance and environmental factors affect longevity: contamination, corrosion, and mechanical damage degrade performance and image quality. In addition to practical uses, reflective surfaces have aesthetic and symbolic roles in art and design, where controlled reflection alters perception of space and light.