Re: [ATM] Crazy simple mirror cell idea

["Stephen Koehler" <s.c.koehler@gmail.com>]

Robert,

> > This seems like a good problem for FEM simulation.
>
> Yes, this could be modeled. The most difficult part would be to decide
> on a realistic function for the pad thickness irregularity - probably
> including some random behavior. I haven't got a clue of how this could
> be characterized...

I think it would be reasonable to use a random surface generated from
one of the turbulence models (i.e., midpoint displacement or random
Zernike coefficients).  For a start, one random surface could be
generated and used for all the tests.  I would be happy to provide you
a surface map, if you could use it.

> The analysis will probably yield quite good results - certainly for a
> relatively thick 14" x 1.75" mirror. The outcome will depend largely on
> the amount of irregularity you choose for the support pad.

One question I have is at what point the results become good.  Clearly
if you use a pad with zero resilience, the results will be quite poor.
 As you add more and more resilience, do the results get better
quickly or slowly?  The most important question (I think) is for
materials likely to be used by an ATM, are the results good or poor?

-- 
Steve Koehler
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