Highly adaptive integrated meniscus primary mirrors

Mark A. Ealey; John A. Wellman

doi:10.1117/12.512728

30 January 2004 Highly adaptive integrated meniscus primary mirrors

Mark A. Ealey, John A. Wellman

Proceedings Volume 5166, UV/Optical/IR Space Telescopes: Innovative Technologies and Concepts; (2004) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.512728
Event: Optical Science and Technology, SPIE's 48th Annual Meeting, 2003, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

Large optics for space will undergo a revolutionary change in the early 21st century. Conventional discrete manufacturing technology will be replaced by an integrated materials approach conducted on the mesoscale level. Integrated Zonal Meniscus is a revolutionary design and manufacturing approach for ultra-lightweight active mirrors that departs radically from the prevailing composite mirror designs and optical processing methods. The integration of actuators, sensors and electronics directly into a silicon carbide thin meniscus mirror substrate has decided advantages over conventional passive and active mirror configurations. The mirror is given the ability to compensate for optical wavefront errors in a configuration that reduces the overall areal density below 10 kg/m². Our design and manufacturing approach are scaleable to 8-meter class mirrors and beyond.

Citation Download Citation

Mark A. Ealey and John A. Wellman "Highly adaptive integrated meniscus primary mirrors", Proc. SPIE 5166, UV/Optical/IR Space Telescopes: Innovative Technologies and Concepts, (30 January 2004); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.512728

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