Re: [Re: ATM Help: First Mirror, Polishing done?]

[Scott Rychnovsky <srychnov@chem.ps.uci.edu>]

Doug,

I find the laser pointer test is very sensitive when carried out in a 
dark room. I like to compare the mirror with other pieces of glass to 
see how the polishing is coming along.  I like to get the mirror 
better than the bathroom mirror with regards to scatter before I am 
done.  If I can get it as good as a the glass in a televue plossl 
eyepiece I am usually happy.

To test the polish, upon finishing the wet I immediately put the 
mirror under running water and carefully rub it with the palm of my 
hand for a minute or two, rotating the mirror every 15 s.  This 
removes the cerium sticking to the glass. Then I rinse the mirror 
with distilled water and let it dry standing on edge on a towel. 
This will remove the Cerium oxide and water spots, which look just 
like pits, and give a good clean surface for inspection.

Scott
--
Scott Rychnovsky
srychnov@chem.ps.uci.edu