Study of lightweight Ni-Co alloy mirrors obtained by electroforming techniques

Ruth D. Jones; Iulia Muntele; Claudiu Muntele; Robert L. Zimmerman; Daryush Ila

doi:10.1117/12.460072

18 December 2002 Study of lightweight Ni-Co alloy mirrors obtained by electroforming techniques

Ruth D. Jones, Iulia Muntele, Claudiu Muntele, Robert L. Zimmerman, Daryush Ila

Proceedings Volume 4849, Highly Innovative Space Telescope Concepts; (2002) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.460072
Event: Astronomical Telescopes and Instrumentation, 2002, Waikoloa, Hawai'i, United States

Abstract

One contribution in reducing the costs of optics in space can be provided by production of ultralight mirrors. The decrease in the weight of the primary mirror of a telescope is anticipated to lead to the possibility of increasing the size of the telescopes, therefore increasing the amount and distance from which information is received. An electroplating process of ultralight replica mirrors from nickel sulfamate solution is described. Based on an experimental setup with cylindrical symmetry, flat mirrors with a diameter of 4 and 7 inches and thickness of 1 through 2 mm are made from a Ni-Co alloy. The composition of the resulting deposit is analyzed using Rutherford Backscattering Spectrometry (RBS) and Proton Induced X-ray Emission (PIXE). In order to isotopically resolve Ni and Co, 6 MeV nitrogen ions are used as projectiles in the RBS measurements. Solution parameters monitored during the deposition process using optical absorption spectrophotometry is correlated with the final concentration of Ni and Co in the deposit. Bath parameters like temperature; current density, agitation level and acidity are chosen at certain values and maintained constant from one sample to another throughout the deposition process. The purpose of the experiment is to obtain mirrors with near zero stress, and predetermined composition and hardness. This study is an intermediate step in obtaining through the same process, but with a larger scale setup, ultralight large aperture replica mirrors.

Citation Download Citation

Ruth D. Jones, Iulia Muntele, Claudiu Muntele, Robert L. Zimmerman, and Daryush Ila "Study of lightweight Ni-Co alloy mirrors obtained by electroforming techniques", Proc. SPIE 4849, Highly Innovative Space Telescope Concepts, (18 December 2002); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.460072

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