• Korean Journal of Optics and Photonics
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.443-448
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• 2003

A study on optimum design of the lightweight mirror of a satellite camera is presented. An optical surface deformation of the lightweight mirror, which is a principal component of the camera system, is an important factor affecting the optical performance of the whole camera system. In this study, optimum design of the lightweight mirror is presented. Total weight of the mirror to reduce the optical surface deformation and the launching cost is used as an objective function. Peak-to-valley value and natural frequency of the mirror are given as constraints to the optimization problem. The sensitivities of the objective function and constraint are calculated by a finite difference method. The optimization procedure is carried out by the commercial optimizer, DOT. As a verification of the optimum design of the mirror, two design examples are treated. In the real application example, the lightweight mirror with 600mm effective diameter is treated. The optimized results with various design variables, which are obtained by considering thickness limitations, are analyzed.

• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.79-84
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• 2012

After a visit by Peter Waddell from the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK in 1991, Robert H. Koch launched a program at the University of Pennsylvania to build lightweight pneumatic membrane mirrors, initially for balloon flight observations where weight is at a premium. Mirror cells were fabricated from sizes 0.18 m to 1.77 m, and experiments conducted to characterize the mirror figure and stability. Most of the work stopped after Prof. Koch's retirement in 1996 until 2006 when the authors expressed an interest in building an array of medium-aperture portable telescopes. The program restarted in earnest at Gravic, Inc. in Malvern, PA in 2008 with Koch using his extensive observational astronomy experience to guide the fabrication of a fully operational 1.07 m membrane mirror telescope with an optical tube assembly weighing under 45 Kg. Residual wavefront aberrations remediation resulted in Koch and the authors investigating membrane tensioning techniques with different cell designs, active secondary wavefront correction, photometric algorithms for aberrated images, and the use of additional lightweight mirror substrates from the Alt-Az Initiative Group, such as foamed glass. The best result for the lightweight mirrors was a point spread function spot size of several arc seconds. A lightweight 1.6 m cast aluminum cell alt-az telescope was subsequently designed by Koch and the authors for prime focus use.

• Korean Journal of Optics and Photonics
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.214-223
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• 2010

Optimization of a 30 cm lightweight mirror was proposed with the best optical performance under various loads of gravity and thermal loads with proper boundary conditions. A pattern for a lightweight mirror was generated based on the best optical performance combined with ease of manufacturing for proper design parameters of physical properties of face sheet, back sheet, rib, and web. Evaluation of the optical performances of a telescope mirror was obtained by using the finite element analysis program, NX I-DEAS. Surface errors, individual aberration terms, such as piston, tilts, focus and other aberrations were calculated by using Zernike polynomials. The proposed telescope mirror meets well the opto-mechanical design consideration of RMS surface error less than 16 nm.

• Bulletin of the Korean Space Science Society
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• 2005.10a
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• pp.149-152
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• 2005

High-resolution telescope from space comprises electro-optical imagery with a ground resolution tying within the range of 1 to 5 meters. According to information documented in the literature up to now, most primary mirrors verified and flown in optical space missions have been lightweighted made from Zerodur, ULE, beryllium, SiC or aluminium. A trade off study was performed to determine as a &lightweighted& by factors like backside cell pattern, rib thickness, face thickness, mirror fixation device location and material and so on based on structural performance for primary mirror in submeter class spaceborne telescope.

• Current Optics and Photonics
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.60-68
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• 2022

We report on the design of the secondary and the tertiary mirrors used in lightweight assemblies made entirely of silicon carbide (SiC). The essential design points are weight reduction within the acceptable deformation of the mirror surface by gravity release, temperature change, and vibration during or after space launch. To find a design that achieves the target requirements, we established finite element models for various candidate designs and subjected each one to wave front error analyses along gravity directions and in operation temperatures. We also calculated the natural frequencies of the candidate assemblies. Our study suggested that a triangular cell with bipod flexure support can satisfy the target weight within the requirements.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Precision Engineering Conference
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• 2013.05a
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• pp.923-924
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• 2013

• Journal of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.55 no.1
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• pp.11-22
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• 2022

We introduce the Transformable Reflective Telescope (TRT) kit that applies an aluminum profile as a base plate for precise, stable, and lightweight optical system. It has been utilized for optical surface measurements, developing alignment and baffle systems, observing celestial objects, and various educational purposes through Research & Education projects. We upgraded the TRT kit using the aluminum profile and truss and isogrid structures for a high-end optical test device that can be used for prototyping of precision telescopes or satellite optical systems. Thanks to the substantial aluminum profile and lightweight design, mechanical deformation by self-weight is reduced to maximum 67.5 ㎛, which is an acceptable misalignment error compared to its tolerance limits. From the analysis results of non-linear vibration simulations, we have verified that the kit survives in harsh vibration environments. The primary mirror and secondary mirror modules are precisely aligned within 50 ㎛ positioning error using the high accuracy surface finished aluminum profile and optomechanical parts. The cross laser module helps to align the secondary mirror to fine-tune the optical system. The TRT kit with the precision aluminum mirror guarantees high quality optical performance of 5.53 ㎛ Full Width at Half Maximum (FWHM) at the field center.

• Current Optics and Photonics
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.236-243
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• 2022

Monocrystalline silicon has excellent properties, but it is difficult to design and manufacture silicon-based mirrors that can meet engineering applications because of its hard and brittle properties. This paper used monocrystalline silicon as the main mirror material in an imaging system to carry out a feasibility study. The lightweight design of the mirror is completed by the method of center support and edge cutting. The support structure of the mirror was designed to meet the conditions of wide temperature applications. Isight software was used to optimize the feasibility sample, and the optimized results are that the root mean square error of the mirror surface is 3.6 nm, the rigid body displacement of the mirror is 2.1 ㎛, and the angular displacement is 2.5" under the conditions of a temperature of ∆20 ℃ and a gravity load of 1 g. The optimized result show that the silicon-based mirror developed in this paper can meet the requirements of engineering applications. This research on silicon-based mirrors can provide guidance for the application of other silicon-based mirrors.

• Bulletin of the Korean Space Science Society
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• 2005.10a
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• pp.72-72
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• 2005

• Proceedings of the Optical Society of Korea Conference
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• 2009.02a
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• pp.407-408
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• 2009