Development of key adaptive mirror technologies for the European Extremely Large Telescope (ELT)
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Birmingham
Department Name: Metallurgy and Materials
Abstract
Low density substrate materials based on silicon carbide variants may have the potential for use as a shell material for large deformable mirrors. Instrumentation optics for ELTs will also utilise optics of significant size, and will be mass-sensitive. By taking existing materials and components and modifying them to meet the demands of European ELT requirements we will demonstrate a cost-effective and risk-mitigating technological advantage. We will demonstrate that 'sandwiching' silicon carbide in a material such as silicon dioxide will lead to a technological advantage to a novel concept of large deformable mirror shell. We will analyse the mechanical integrity for the application and demonstrate control of the surface position and deformation using existing Piezo actuators modified with a surface sensing transducer.
Organisations
People |
ORCID iD |
Martin Strangwood (Principal Investigator) |
Description | Detailed methods for characterising the thermo-mechanical properties and structures of laminated composite structures. |
Exploitation Route | Framework for assessing and characterising composite structures |
Sectors | Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Leisure Activities, including Sports, Recreation and Tourism |
Description | Used in design studies and materials selection case for large scale and adaptable telescope mirrors. Within materials the analysis has been used for other composite studies. |
Sector | Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Leisure Activities, including Sports, Recreation and Tourism |