One of the primary uses of partially silvered mirrors is in optical setups, such as laser systems or interferometers. In these applications, the mirror can direct light in multiple ways, allowing researchers to create complex experimental configurations. For example, in a Michelson interferometer, a beam splitter divides a single beam of light into two separate beams, which then travel different paths before being recombined to create interference patterns. These patterns can provide valuable information about the properties of the light source and other optical elements in the system.