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Hubble Space Telescope COSTAR asphere verification with a modified computer-generated hologram interferometer
Applied Optics
|September 8, 2010
Summary
A new, simple method was developed to verify the surface accuracy of aspheric mirrors designed to correct Hubble Space Telescope
Area of Science:
- Optical engineering
- Space telescope instrumentation
Background:
- Hubble Space Telescope primary mirror exhibited spherical aberration.
- Correction required specialized anamorphic aspheric mirrors for scientific instruments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a quick and simple method for verifying the surface figure of aspheric mirrors.
- To ensure the accuracy of corrective optics for the Hubble Space Telescope.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of five anamorphic aspheric mirrors for the Corrective-Optics Space Telescope Axial-Replacement (COSTAR) instrument.
- Development and application of a simple verification technique during vendor acceptance tests.
Main Results:
- The developed technique was successfully applied to three aspheric mirrors.
- Results confirmed that the tested aspheres meet the expected accuracy requirements for this verification method.
Conclusions:
- A practical and efficient method for aspheric mirror surface figure verification has been established.
- This method aids in ensuring the quality of corrective optics for space-based observatories.
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