Dear Colleague:

AEH tested, with a client, the ability of metal foils and polymer films to form membranes with optically useful surfaces such as cylindrical conic sections (SPIE:  5494-50, 2004).  AEH subsequently explored the concept using non-linear structural solution sequences in MSC/Nastran. 

AEH’s study identifies trade-offs among the material properties, dimensional properties, initial conditions and loading.  It also provides the optomechanical engineer design tools to minimize the surface figure errors in real, non-idealized, clear apertures.  For instance, compensate for defects in the membrane such as non-uniform thickness, variable properties and non-planar initial membrane shapes.

AEH:  Cutting-edge engineering for cutting-edge systems.

Al H.
2-28-12