How To Align An Off-Axis Parabolic Mirror

Christopher Bond; Cyril A. Pipan

doi:10.1117/12.955592

11 October 1989 How To Align An Off-Axis Parabolic Mirror

Christopher Bond, Cyril A. Pipan

Proceedings Volume 1113, Reflective Optics II; (1989) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.955592
Event: SPIE 1989 Technical Symposium on Aerospace Sensing, 1989, Orlando, FL, United States

Abstract

The alignment of an off-axis parabolic mirror can be discussed mathematically in terms of third order optics using Zernike polynomials. While this discussion can add insight to the theory of alignment, it doesn't provide an easy means of knowing what to do in a "Hands-On" laboratory situation. As can be inferred from the title of this paper, a "How-To" method of alignment will be discussed. As for the theory of alignment, let it suffice to say that it can be shown that an off-axis parabola is a surface which departs from a best fit sphere in terms of spherical aberration, coma, and astigmatism.

Citation Download Citation

Christopher Bond and Cyril A. Pipan "How To Align An Off-Axis Parabolic Mirror", Proc. SPIE 1113, Reflective Optics II, (11 October 1989); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.955592

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