Fabrication of large secondary mirrors for astronomical telescopes

Bryan Keener Smith; James H. Burge; Hubert M. Martin

doi:10.1117/12.295151

1 November 1997 Fabrication of large secondary mirrors for astronomical telescopes

Bryan Keener Smith, James H. Burge, Hubert M. Martin

Proceedings Volume 3134, Optical Manufacturing and Testing II; (1997) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.295151
Event: Optical Science, Engineering and Instrumentation '97, 1997, San Diego, CA, United States

Abstract

A new class of telescope is being built with primary mirrors as large as 8.4 meters in diameter and as fast as f/1. Fabricating the secondary mirrors for these telescopes has presented tough challenges because of their large sizes, up to 1.7 meter diameter; their aspheric departure of more than 300 microns; the required figure accuracy of a few tens of nanometers; and the fact that they are typically convex and difficult to measure. We have developed tools and techniques to meet these demands to produce secondary mirrors efficiently and accurately. A dedicated facility was constructed in the mirror lab that integrates a 1.8-m stressed-lap polishing machine with interferometric and mechanical measuring systems. This paper presents data from a 1.15-m secondary that was finished in our shop, and from two other large mirrors that are currently being fabricated.

Citation Download Citation

Bryan Keener Smith, James H. Burge, and Hubert M. Martin "Fabrication of large secondary mirrors for astronomical telescopes", Proc. SPIE 3134, Optical Manufacturing and Testing II, (1 November 1997); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.295151

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