Corning Incorporated

Bruce Hildreth Myrick

Leonard Gerard Wamboldt

Kenneth Smith Woodard

Lovell Eglin Comstock, Ii

Michael D Lathrop

A support for optical elements is described. The support includes a base substrate with high specific stiffness and a finishing layer. The base substrate is a non-oxide ceramic material, preferably a carbide, such as boron carbide or silicon carbide. The finishing layer is preferably Ge or an alloy of Al and Si. The finishing layer is or is capable of being processed to provide a surface with low finish. Low finish is achieved by diamond turning or polishing the finishing material. The finishing layer has a coefficient of thermal expansion similar to the coefficient of thermal expansion of the base substrate. The optical element optionally includes a reflective stack on the finishing layer.

Reflective optical element

An optical apparatus has a primary optical element having a primary spherical optical surface with a primary center of curvature, wherein the primary spherical optical surface has a peripheral portion that extends outside a usable aperture of the optical apparatus, and a secondary optical element. A mount suspends the secondary optical element spaced apart from the primary optical element, wherein the mount comprises a number of leg sections, each leg section extending between the primary and secondary optical elements. Each leg section terminates in a spherical mating surface that rests against the peripheral portion of the primary optical element. The spherical mating surface has a mating surface center of curvature that is substantially concentric with the primary center of curvature.

Growing community of inventors

Keene, NH, United States of America

Bruce Hildreth Myrick