Designing optimized ultra-lightweighted mirror structures made of Cesic for space and ground based applications

Peter Hofbauer; Matthias R. Krödel

doi:10.1117/12.856373

19 July 2010 Designing optimized ultra-lightweighted mirror structures made of Cesic for space and ground based applications

Peter Hofbauer, Matthias R. Krödel

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 7739, Modern Technologies in Space- and Ground-based Telescopes and Instrumentation; 77390J (2010) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.856373
Event: SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation, 2010, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

Today's space applications increasingly utilize lightweighted construction concepts, motivated by the demands of manufacturing and functionality, and by economics. Particularly for space optics, mirror stability and stiffness need to be maximized, while mass needs to be minimized. Therefore, mirror materials must possess, besides high material strength and manufacturing versatility, high thermal conductivity combined with low heat capacity and long-term stability against varying thermal loads. Additionally, optical surfaces need to be compatible with reflective coating materials. In order to achieve these requirements, the interplay between material properties and mirror design on one hand, and budgetary constraints on the other must be considered. In this paper, we address these issues by presenting an FEM design study of open and closed-back mirror structures with extremely thin reinforcing ribs, with the goal of obtaining optimal physical and optical characteristics. Furthermore, we show that ECM's carbon-fiber reinforced SiC composite, Cesic^®, and its newly developed, HB-Cesic^® , with their low CTE, low density, and high stiffness, are not only excellent mirror materials, but allow the rapid manufacturing of complex monolithic optical structures at reasonable cost.

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Peter Hofbauer and Matthias R. Krödel "Designing optimized ultra-lightweighted mirror structures made of Cesic for space and ground based applications", Proc. SPIE 7739, Modern Technologies in Space- and Ground-based Telescopes and Instrumentation, 77390J (19 July 2010); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.856373

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