Toward a large lightweight mirror for AO: development of a 1m Ni coated CFRP mirror

S.J. Thompson; A.P. Doel; D. Brooks; M. Strangwood

doi:10.1117/12.786079

23 July 2008 Toward a large lightweight mirror for AO: development of a 1m Ni coated CFRP mirror

S.J. Thompson, A.P. Doel, D. Brooks, M. Strangwood

Proceedings Volume 7018, Advanced Optical and Mechanical Technologies in Telescopes and Instrumentation; 701839 (2008) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.786079
Event: SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation, 2008, Marseille, France

Abstract

We present our recent developments towards the construction of a large, thin, single-piece mirror for adaptive optics (AO). Our current research program aims to have completed fabrication and testing of a 1m diameter, nickel coated carbon-fibre reinforced cyanate ester resin mirror by the last quarter of 2009. This composite mirror material is being developed to provide a lightweight and robust alternative to thin glass shell mirrors, with the challenge of future large deformable mirrors such as the 2.5m M4 on the E-ELT in mind. A detailed analysis of the material properties of test mirror samples is being performed at the University of Birmingham (UK), the first results of which are discussed and presented here. We discuss the project progress achieved so far, including fabrication of the 1m flat moulds for the replication process, manufacturing and testing methods for 20 cm diameter sample mirrors and system simulations.

Citation Download Citation

S.J. Thompson, A.P. Doel, D. Brooks, and M. Strangwood "Toward a large lightweight mirror for AO: development of a 1m Ni coated CFRP mirror", Proc. SPIE 7018, Advanced Optical and Mechanical Technologies in Telescopes and Instrumentation, 701839 (23 July 2008); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.786079

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available