Lightweight Zerodur Mirror Technology Technical Report Analysis Condensation Evaluation (TRACE)
Abstract
Design tradeoffs for large passive High Energy Laser (HEL) mirrors have shown that Zerodur Glass Ceramic is an attractive alternative to ULE glass because of its low coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), greater homogeneity, and easier machinability and polishability. Zerodur has not been selected as a candidate mirror blank material because the technology for producing lightweight mirrors from Zerodur did not exist. Schott Glaswerke recently began developing the techniques required for the fabrication of lightweight Zerodur mirror blanks. The objective of this program was to assess the potential of Zerodur for use as a large lightweight passive mirror material in terms of properties, producibility, and performance by 1) demonstrating the technologies for fabricating mirror blanks; 2) obtaining property data on fabricated Zerodur mirror parts; 3) investigating manufacturing processes applicable to the production of lightweight Zerodur blanks; and 4) analytically predicting the performance of a lightweight Zerodur mirror under high front surface thermal loading. Areas of technology requiring further development were identified.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 30, 1982
- Accession Number
- ADA344621
Entities
People
- Da-wun Shen
- George J. Gardopee