Flexural Rigidity Characteristics Of Light-Weighted Mirrors

Pravin K. Mehta

doi:10.1117/12.939828

3 June 1987 Flexural Rigidity Characteristics Of Light-Weighted Mirrors

Pravin K. Mehta

Proceedings Volume 0748, Structural Mechanics of Optical Systems II; (1987) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.939828
Event: OE LASE'87 and EO Imaging Symposium, 1987, Los Angeles, CA, United States

Abstract

One of the key parameters usually considered in a light weighted mirror design is its flexural rigidity. In part I of this paper, the relative merits of symmetric sandwich and open back light-weighted designs in the 10 to 30 kg/m² range (of mirror weight per unit area) are examined for ULE, Heraeus fused silica, Zerodur and beryllium, subject to some representative state-of-the-art fabrication constraints. Part II of the paper addresses the same issue independently of any specific material. This is made possible by normalization of several parameters by the weight equivalent solid thickness of the mirror. Also included in the study are nonsymmetric sandwich cross sections with unequal front and rear facesheet thicknesses. The study shows that, for given values of mirror weight per unit area and the core (or rib) solidity ratio, there exists a transitional value of the normalized front facesheet thickness above which an open back configuration is structurally superior to a sandwich configuration. Moreover, for the increasingly demanding light-weighting goals of moderns optical systems, the optimum geometrical configurations may be beyond the fabrication capability of the current state of the art.

Citation Download Citation

Pravin K. Mehta "Flexural Rigidity Characteristics Of Light-Weighted Mirrors", Proc. SPIE 0748, Structural Mechanics of Optical Systems II, (3 June 1987); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.939828

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available