Lightweight optical segment prototype for adaptive optics manufactured by hot slumping

R. Canestrari; M. Ghigo; S. Basso; D. Spiga; L. Proserpio

doi:10.1117/12.790396

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14 July 2008 Lightweight optical segment prototype for adaptive optics manufactured by hot slumping

R. Canestrari, M. Ghigo, S. Basso, D. Spiga, L. Proserpio

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Proceedings Volume 7015, Adaptive Optics Systems; 70153S (2008) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.790396
Event: SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation, 2008, Marseille, France

Abstract

In the framework of the E-ELT Design Study financed by the European Community under OPTICON-FP6, the INAFAstronomical Observatory of Brera (INAF-OAB) has developed a technique for the manufacturing of thin optical segments. This study has the potential to fulfill the requirements of speed of production, contained costs and good optical quality for adaptive optics mirrors of the future. Following this approach these shells are produced by means of an hot slumping technique in which an initially flat thin Borofloat^TM glass sheet is placed onto a high quality ceramic mold, used as a master, to impart a precise shape to the glass by means of a thermal cycle. The thickness of these shells is of about 1.7 mm, making the optical surface very floppy and easy to be deformed. A previous investigation made on small size segments (diam. 130 mm) has shown quite encouraging results. The final goal of this study is to produce a concave spherical mirror prototype of 500 mm diameter. In this paper we report the last results of this effort in scaling-up the procedure and related problems concerning the optical testing.

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R. Canestrari, M. Ghigo, S. Basso, D. Spiga, and L. Proserpio "Lightweight optical segment prototype for adaptive optics manufactured by hot slumping", Proc. SPIE 7015, Adaptive Optics Systems, 70153S (14 July 2008); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.790396

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