Abstract: The stress polishing technique is a powerful tool forfabrication of off-axis mirror profiles. The inherentsmoothness that can be achieved from polishing spherescan now be applied to asymmetric profiles. Thissmoothness, combined with the need for the mirror to bethin and flexible, can be coupled to active mountingsystems which readily correct low order shapes toproduce a near ideal system. This technique will allowthe fabrication of complete off-axis telescopes withinthe same basic cost range as on-axis systems, if notfor less. The strength of this statement comes from thefact that both the primary and secondary mirror can befabricated and mounted using the same techniques,affording less stringent global profile requirementsduring fabrication. The components are literally bentinto final shape with minimal high spatial residualerror in the telescope, making the system function atoptimum.!2
展开▼
