PROCESS FOR MANUFACTURING AN ATHERMAL LOW COST TELESCOPE BASED ON HIGH PRECISION REPLICATION TECHNOLOGY, AND SUCH TELESCOPE

    公开(公告)号:US20220146809A1

    公开(公告)日:2022-05-12

    申请号:US17433936

    申请日:2020-02-17

    Abstract: A manufacturing method creates a type of telescope which is athermal, lightweight, optical quality for visible and IR applications. The method includes: a) optical mirrors being made by immersing a master, that is an optical component with a curvature opposite to the mirror required into an electrolytic bath where the applied current transfers metal ions and deposit them on the master, the cathode, as a layer, b) the layer being bonded by an adhesive, solder or any other attachment process to a mechanical reinforcing structure, c) after the hardening of the bond or glue, the thin layer being finally released from the master and having maintained the optical quality of the master. The master or mandrel can be cleaned and reused for repeating this method and manufacturing large series of telescopes.

    PROCESS FOR FORMING AN ARTICLE WITH A PRECISION SURFACE

    公开(公告)号:US20170233281A1

    公开(公告)日:2017-08-17

    申请号:US15519122

    申请日:2015-10-12

    Abstract: A process for forming an article having at least one precision surface is disclosed. The process includes providing a thin sheet in contact with a surface of a mandrel. The process then includes establishing a pressure differential between opposite sides of the thin sheet using a collapsible enclosure so that the thin sheet is drawn onto the mandrel surface, thereby causing the thin sheet to substantially conform to the shape of the mandrel surface. The shaped thin sheet is then secured to a support member to define the article. The article is then removed from the mandrel. The front surface of the thin sheet defines the precision surface of the article. A process for forming a dual-sided precision article is also disclosed, along with an adaptive optical system and method that employs the precision article.

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