Aspherical on-axis and off-axis mirrors

Parabolic mirrors, also known as paraboloid mirrors, are symmetrically concave mirrors that concentrate incoming light rays into a singular focal point or reflect them in parallel.

Understanding parabolic mirrors

A parabolic mirror’s unique ability lies in its capability to focus parallel rays of light into a singular point. The larger the optical mirror, the more radiation it can gather and concentrate, leading to the greater accumulation of energy at the focal point. Conversely, a parabolic mirror can also emit light if there is a light source located at its focal point, releasing parallel rays of light.

Applications of parabolic mirrors

In addition to their use in spotlights, parabolic mirrors play a critical part in satellite communication, where they help transmit electromagnetic waves to a satellite and back to the receiver. These signals can be picked up by a satellite dish, enabling communication over vast distances.

Parabolic mirrors’ reflective properties also come into play in astronomy, helping telescopes concentrate starlight so that it becomes visible, or at least measurable.

In the realm of renewable energies, parabolic mirrors harness their light-concentrating capabilities for solar thermal power plants, capturing even weak solar radiation on cloudy days and rendering it usable.

Other distinct forms of aspherical concave mirrors available from asphericon include hyperboloids and ellipsoids. Characterized by their elliptical cross-section, ellipsoidal mirrors serve as effective light collectors. Light emanating from one focal point of the ellipse is gathered at the second focal point. This ability to concentrate light is used in image projection, spectroscopy and lighting systems.

In contrast, hyperbolic mirrors reflect incoming light rays towards the first focal point so that they subsequently pass through the second focal point. This property is particularly useful in telescopes for extending the focal length.