MELIPAL M2 mirror in the coating tank

The light-weight Beryllium mirror (about 50 kg) with a diameter of 1.1-m and covered with a layer of Nickel was carefully cleaned. It was subsequently placed in the large coating plant in which a target of exceedingly pure Aluminium is bombarded by fast argon ions. In this "sputtering" process, large numbers of Aluminium atoms are released from the target and deposited on the mirror. After about 15 minutes, the Aluminium layer had reached the desired thickness. When the plant was opened, the reflectivity was measured as 91%, an excellent value.

Crediti:

ESO

Riguardo l'immagine

Identificazione:eso0003c
Tipo:Collage
Data di rilascio:21 Gennaio 2000
Notizie relative:eso0003
Grandezza:1280 x 960 px

Riguardo all'oggetto

Nome:Mirror, Very Large Telescope
Tipo:Unspecified : Technology : Observatory : Telescope
Categoria:Paranal

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