Optimization of a 16 Inches Diameter Primary Mirror Assembly of a Ground-Based Telescope

摘要

This article presents the opto-mechanical design of a primary mirror assembly of a ground-based telescope with optimization algorithm. The prototype of ground-based telescope - GSO RC16 with 16 inches diameter blank primary mirror had been manufactured in 2016. However, a telescope with a blank primary mirror is too heavy to carry on for the stargazer. Besides, deformations caused by temperature difference and gravity will do significant effect to the large aperture mirrors with high-optical performance requirements. In order to reduce the weight and maintain the stiffness simultaneously, the lightweight design and mounting interface design are critical and important. There are four types of system architectures in this project, including (1) two types of lightweight mirror designs - honeycomb type segments and sector type segments; (2) two types of mounting interface designs - retainer type support and CFRP type support. The optimization results showed that (1) the lightweight ratio of the primary mirrors are greater than 70%; and (2) the PV value of the mirrors supported by optimal mounting interfaces with gravity effect as a tilt of about 45 degrees and ±20°C temperature difference effectively less than 1/4 λ.