Membrane Reflectors

本项目将研究一种用于毫米波和亚毫米波射电望远镜的轻质、相对便宜的米级反射镜的新工艺。这一过程包括用一种薄的、可反射的、可拉伸的材料覆盖坚硬的体积。然后，将体积抽空，或加压，将膜形成弯曲的镜子。镜面的形状受边界形状、膜材料的机械特性和压力的控制。该项目将量化由各种材料生产的镜子的形状和表面特征，并演示使用薄膜镜子的米级望远镜的操作。

ABSTRACTAST-9820158Dragovan, MarkThis project will investigate a novel process for making lightweight, relatively inexpensive, meter-class mirrors for millimeter- and submillimeter-wave radio telescopes. The process involves capping a rigid volume with a thin, reflective, stretchable material. The volume is then evacuated, or pressurized to form the membrane into a curved mirror. The shape of the mirror is controlled by the shape of the boundary, the mechanical characteristics of the membrane material, and the pressure. This project will quantify the shape and surface characteristics of mirrors produced from various materials, and demonstrate operation of a meter-class telescope using membrane mirrors.