Fabrication and testing of very lightweight composite mirrors

Peter C. Chen; Robert C. Romeo

doi:10.1117/12.324451

28 August 1998 Fabrication and testing of very lightweight composite mirrors

Peter C. Chen, Robert C. Romeo

Proceedings Volume 3356, Space Telescopes and Instruments V; (1998) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.324451
Event: Astronomical Telescopes and Instrumentation, 1998, Kona, HI, United States

Abstract

We report progress in the development of very lightweight uv-vis-ir mirrors for space- and ground-based applications. The mirrors are made by replication using spaceflight qualified graphite cyanate ester composite materials. We have developed a process that successfully overcomes the problems of fiber print-through, vacuum instability, and appearance of bond lines on the surface. These problems have thwarted previous attempts in the development of composite optics. We describe our process and present some recent results. These include the fabrication of mirrors with highly smooth surfaces, low mid-frequency ripple, and areal density 2 kg/m² at 60 cm aperture. We also present data on bond lines and active optical figure control.

Citation Download Citation

Peter C. Chen and Robert C. Romeo "Fabrication and testing of very lightweight composite mirrors", Proc. SPIE 3356, Space Telescopes and Instruments V, (28 August 1998); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.324451

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