Current optical finishing technology limits the choices for synchrotron radiation materials to a relatively few materials: fused silica and ULE^TM, silicon, CVD silicon carbide, and electroless nickel. We review, in a general way, those materials and several others that can be finished to the required figure and finish levels, generally considered to be < 3 microradians rms and < 5 angstroms rms. With the objective of material choices for synchrotron beam line mirrors in mind, we briefly discuss dimensional stability, cooling, bending, polishing, and manufacturing procedures. After discussing specific materials: those previously mentioned and aluminum, Glidcop^TM, invars, and steels, we conclude that metals are best from an engineering and cost standpoint, but ceramics, including silicon are best from a polishing standpoint.

Date Published: 1 November 1997
PDF: 15 pages
Proc. SPIE 3152, Materials, Manufacturing, and Measurement for Synchrotron Radiation Mirrors, (1 November 1997); doi: 10.1117/12.295549

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 3152:
Materials, Manufacturing, and Measurement for Synchrotron Radiation Mirrors
Peter Z. Takacs; Thomas W. Tonnessen, Editor(s)