8.2 metre primary mirrors of the VLT

Philippe Dierickx; Daniel Enard; Fritz Merkle; Lothar Noethe; Raymond N. Wilson

doi:10.1117/12.20413

1 August 1990 8.2 metre primary mirrors of the VLT

Philippe Dierickx, Daniel Enard, Fritz Merkle, Lothar Noethe, Raymond N. Wilson

Proceedings Volume 1271, Adaptive Optics and Optical Structures; (1990) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.20413
Event: The International Congress on Optical Science and Engineering, 1990, The Hague, Netherlands

Abstract

The Very Large Telescope (VLT) presently being developed at ESO is described in terms of technological advances which make its use both technically effective and feasible. The VLT capitalizes on advances in materials, polishing techniques, and mirror support systems. The VLT consists of four 8-m alt-az telescopes and a 2-m auxiliary telescope in a single-dish configuration with Zerodur meniscus mirrors passively supported on a lateral system. A discussion of the tradeoffs between glass and metal mirrors is presented, and computerized polishing is described in relation to optical specifications. The mirror is supported with 150 axial and 60 lateral supports with electromechanical actuators to modulate applied force. The active optics concept is employed via the flexibility of the primary mirror, which generates elastomechanical deformations and the position and orientation of the secondary mirror.

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Philippe Dierickx, Daniel Enard, Fritz Merkle, Lothar Noethe, and Raymond N. Wilson "8.2 metre primary mirrors of the VLT", Proc. SPIE 1271, Adaptive Optics and Optical Structures, (1 August 1990); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.20413

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