Mathematics – Logic
Scientific paper
Apr 1995
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1995cajph..73..109b&link_type=abstract
Can. J. Phys., Vol. 73, No. 3 - 4, p. 109 - 125
Mathematics
Logic
10
Mirrors: Optical Design
Scientific paper
The surface of a spinning liquid takes the shape of a paraboloid that can be used as a reflecting mirror. This concept has been revived and the author reviews its present status. Extensive interferometric tests of liquid mirrors (the largest one having a diameter of 2.5 m) show excellent optical qualities. The author discusses the factors that can limit the optical quality of liquid mirrors, how to minimize them as well as the basic technology. A handful of liquid mirrors have now been built that are used for scientific work. The author shows representative data obtained from 2.65 m diameter liquid mirror telescopes used for astronomy and the atmospheric sciences (LIDAR). The paper examines the expected performance of 4 m liquid mirror telescopes (LMTs) dedicated to cosmological surveys. Spectrophotometry reaches B = 24 for all objects within over 100 square degrees and wide-band photometry reaches about B = 28. The author considers the future of liquid mirror telescopes: limits to their sizes, engineering issues, as well as speculations on lunar or space LMTs. The possibility of nonrotating GRIN (gradient index) liquid mirrors is considered. Finally, the author addresses the issues of the field accessible to LMTs equipped with novel optical correctors. Optical design work, and some exploratory laboratory work, indicate that a single LMT should be able to access, with excellent images, small regions anywhere inside fields as large as 45°.
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