Design, fabrication and testing of active carbon shell mirrors for space telescope applications

John Steeves; Marie Laslandes; Sergio Pellegrino; David Redding; Samuel Case Bradford; James Kent Wallace; Troy Barbee

doi:10.1117/12.2056560

28 July 2014 Design, fabrication and testing of active carbon shell mirrors for space telescope applications

John Steeves, Marie Laslandes, Sergio Pellegrino, David Redding, Samuel Case Bradford, James Kent Wallace, Troy Barbee

Proceedings Volume 9151, Advances in Optical and Mechanical Technologies for Telescopes and Instrumentation; 915105 (2014) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2056560
Event: SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation, 2014, Montréal, Quebec, Canada

Abstract

A novel active mirror concept based on carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) materials is presented. A nanolaminate facesheet, active piezoelectric layer and printed electronics are implemented in order to provide the reflective surface, actuation capabilities and electrical wiring for the mirror. Mirrors of this design are extremely thin (500-850 µm), lightweight (~ 2 kg/m²) and have large actuation capabilities (~ 100 µm peak- to-valley deformation per channel). Replication techniques along with simple bonding/transferring processes are implemented eliminating the need for grinding and polishing steps. An outline of the overall design, component materials and fabrication processes is presented. A method to size the active layer for a given mirror design, along with simulation predictions on the correction capabilities of the mirror are also outlined. A custom metrology system used to capture the highly deformable nature of the mirrors is demonstrated along with preliminary prototype measurements.

Citation Download Citation

John Steeves, Marie Laslandes, Sergio Pellegrino, David Redding, Samuel Case Bradford, James Kent Wallace, and Troy Barbee "Design, fabrication and testing of active carbon shell mirrors for space telescope applications", Proc. SPIE 9151, Advances in Optical and Mechanical Technologies for Telescopes and Instrumentation, 915105 (28 July 2014); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2056560

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