Scaling laws for light-weight opticsScaling laws for light-weight optical systems are examined. A cubic relationship between mirror diameter and weight has been suggested and used by many designers of optical systems as the best description for all light-weight mirrors. A survey of existing light-weight systems in the open literature has been made to clarify this issue. Fifty existing optical systems were surveyed with all varieties of light-weight mirrors including glass and beryllium structured mirrors, contoured mirrors, and very thin solid mirrors. These mirrors were then categorized and weight to diameter ratio was plotted to find a best fit curve for each case. A best fitting curve program tests nineteen different equations and ranks a 'goodness of fit' for each of these equations. The resulting relationship found for each light-weight mirror category helps to quantify light-weight optical systems and methods of fabrication and provides comparisons between mirror types.
Document ID
19920040232
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Valente, Tina M. (Arizona, University Tucson, United States)
Date Acquired
August 15, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1990
Subject Category
Mechanical Engineering
Meeting Information
Meeting: Cryogenic Optical Systems and Instruments IV