Re: ATM vacuum chamber configuration

[Andy Saulietis <iss@pvtnetworks.net>]

Hi Dave,

>I see your point.  I had wondered about "slinging" aluminum around.  Would
>you still get parabolization if you used a gearmotor and turned it slowly?
>
>On second thought, maybe I'm not thinking this through.  Is it gravity and
>flowing aluminum that leads to the parabolization?

The mirror starts out spherical (= easy to make)
and is parabolized by a rotating mask (or rotating
mirror with fixed mask) shaped so the amount of
aluminum deposited results in a paraboloid. This
only amounts to a few wavelengths of thickness.
The aluminum solidifies instantly after contacting the vapor, which
is actually in the form of *tiny* droplets.

The difficulty is in controlling the amount of aluminum & 
numerous tests to get it right.

Andy


Andy Saulietis
ISS Enterprises
39 Silver Fox Trail
Mayhill NM 88339
505-687-3067 voice
505-687-3021 fax, call voice or e-mail to set up
e-mail: iss@pvtnetworks.net