The state-of-the-art in near-net-shape Hot Isostatically Pressed (HIPed) ultralight weight beryllium mirror substrates is demonstrated. Design and fabrication of two identical 5.75-inch diameter, bare beryllium mirrors weighing less than 100 grams are described. Dimensional accuracy is presented and dimensional stability issues are discussed. The mirror is representative of the class of bare beryllium optics required for light weight space-borne telescopes and satellites. The technology is generally applicable to other classes of optics including electroless nickel plated optics. It appears feasible to fabricate mirror substrates with enough accuracy to be electroless nickel-plated and optically finished without machining the substrate. Initial results on an enhanced method to make net-shape HIPed beryllium substrates directly from powder with reusable mandrels are presented. The cost of substrates made by this process would be 50% less than a current near-net-shape HIP method.

Date Published: 12 February 1993
PDF: 8 pages
Proc. SPIE 1753, Stray Radiation in Optical Systems II, (12 February 1993); doi: 10.1117/12.140689

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 1753:
Stray Radiation in Optical Systems II
Robert P. Breault, Editor(s)