This project will investigate a novel process for making lightweight, relatively inexpensive, meter-class mirrors for millimeter- and submillimeter-wave radio telescopes. The process involves capping a rigid volume with a thin, reflective, stretchable material. The volume is then evacuated, or pressurized to form the membrane into a curved mirror. The shape of the mirror is controlled by the shape of the boundary, the mechanical characteristics of the membrane material, and the pressure. This project will quantify the shape and surface characteristics of mirrors produced from various materials, and demonstrate operation of a meter-class telescope using membrane mirrors.
