Patent ID: 7740362
Filing Date: 2010-06-22
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
1. A radius of curvature controlled mirror comprising: a mirror having a front surface and a rear surface; a first flow of fluid applied to said mirror for cooling or heating said front surface; a second flow of fluid applied to said mirror for cooling or heating said rear surface; a controller for adjusting said first flow and adjusting said second flow in order to achieve a desired differential expansion between said front surface of said mirror and said rear surface of said mirror and thereby achieve a desired radius of curvature on said front surface of said mirror; said first flow of fluid includes a front cooling loop including a plurality of spiral-shaped front passageways in said mirror near said front surface and a fluid circulating through said front passageways; said second flow of fluid includes a rear cooling loop including a plurality of spiral-shaped rear passageways in said mirror near said rear surface and a fluid circulating through said rear passageways; said front cooling loop includes a front inlet port and a front outlet port; said rear cooling loop includes a rear inlet port and a rear outlet port; said fluid is at a constant temperature; and said mirror including a mirror body constructed of a material selected from the group consisting of silicon, silicon carbide, sapphire, and copper.