[Author Prev][Author Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Author Index][Thread Index]

ATM [Fwd: BOUNCE atm@shore.net: Non-member submission from [mark wilkinson <laseroptics@compuserve.com>]]



-- BEGIN included message

>From atm-owner  Wed Feb 19 10:30:23 1997
Received: from dub-img-5.compuserve.com (dub-img-5.compuserve.com [149.174.206.135]) by 
relay1.shore.net (8.8.3/8.8.3) with SMTP id KAA29998 for <atm@shore.net>; Wed, 19 Feb 
1997 10:30:22 -0500 (EST)
Received: by dub-img-5.compuserve.com (8.6.10/5.950515)
        id KAA03427; Wed, 19 Feb 1997 10:29:45 -0500
Date: Wed, 19 Feb 1997 10:29:10 -0500
From: mark wilkinson <laseroptics@compuserve.com>
Subject: RE: ATM Speculum metal for mirror making
To: Chris Westland <westland@uxmail.ust.hk>
Cc: re atm silvering <atm@shore.net>
Message-ID: <199702191029_MC2-1178-5C63@compuserve.com>


I attended a conference in london about 4 years ago, entitled metal mirrors
for astronomy, it was held at the University college london.

The general agreement was aluminium of suitable grade and heat treatment
was a good candidate as a substrate but since aluminium is near impossible
to get any sort of finish on electroless nickel was proposed as a coating.
This could be polished and then coated further. My company make small eg 6
inch laser mirrors just like this

Electroless nickel is difficult to deposit on Aluminium and hard to get
fault free though. If any body can help with this off topic aspect I would
be very grateful.

One idea that I think will happen is to make a series of mirror segments
from aluminium and electron beam weld them into a large mirror. it seems e
beam welding is totally free of distortion, or so the Uk's welding
institute's presentation claimed.

I anticipate the next message on this topic will be about beryllium. This
is a great metal mechanically strong and light but the dust is very very
toxic and exposure is strictly regulated and enforced by our Health and
Safety authority.

Mark wilkinson
laseroptics@compuserve.com 



-- END included message