Stretched membrane with electrostatic curvature (SMEC) mirrors for extremely large space telescopes

Brian L. Stamper; James Roger P. Angel; James H. Burge; Tom Connors; Brian Duffy; Neville J. Woolf

doi:10.1117/12.453607

27 December 2001 Stretched membrane with electrostatic curvature (SMEC) mirrors for extremely large space telescopes

Brian L. Stamper, James Roger P. Angel, James H. Burge, Tom Connors, Brian Duffy, Neville J. Woolf

Proceedings Volume 4451, Optical Manufacturing and Testing IV; (2001) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.453607
Event: International Symposium on Optical Science and Technology, 2001, San Diego, CA, United States

Abstract

Very lightweight mirrors can be constructed by stretching a membrane to form a flat surface. Adding tension to the membrane, making it flat, can be done by discrete attachment points, or by using a continuous boundary. Such lightweight mirrors are very attractive for space telescopes where a 100-m aperture can be made up of smaller mirror segments. Adding a slight curvature to each segment simplifies the optical train. This article looks at the making of a curved membrane mirror, and demonstrates its use. Measurements of the flat membrane, and the curved figure will be shown.

Citation Download Citation

Brian L. Stamper, James Roger P. Angel, James H. Burge, Tom Connors, Brian Duffy, and Neville J. Woolf "Stretched membrane with electrostatic curvature (SMEC) mirrors for extremely large space telescopes", Proc. SPIE 4451, Optical Manufacturing and Testing IV, (27 December 2001); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.453607

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