Precision Optics

Mirror Deposition System

Click image to EnlargeIn June 2009 Dynavac completed installation of an optical coating system in Happy Jack, AZ at the site of Lowell Observatory’s new Discovery Channel Telescope (DCT). Dynavac’s system will deposit aluminum onto the telescope’s 4.2m primary and 1.4m secondary mirrors. DCT is being constructed in partnership with Discovery Communications and will be used for a variety of research projects relating to our solar system, planetary systems, and several other exciting projects. Refer to http://www.lowell.edu/dct/ for further details.

The vacuum chamber is 15’ diameter and has an overall height of 25’. Mirrors are supported on frames that are mounted in the shallow base of the chamber. The upper chamber cylinder holds the evaporation sources which are distributed in a set pattern to achieve a coating thickness uniformity of better than +/- 5% over the surface the mirror.

Click image to EnlargeThe chamber is pumped with a mechanical pumping system and two Dynavac 35” cryopumps. Control of the pumping system and evaporation process is automated through a Dynavac supervisory control system. The system was fully assembled and tested at Dynavac prior to shipment and then transported to the summit of the observatory . Final acceptance testing included demonstration of a coating including verification of uniformity.

Discovery Channel crew filming chamber construction

Chamber reaching the summit

Fully installed system ready for operation

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