ABSTRACT
Mirror mounts have two chief functions: maintaining the correct position of the optical element with respect to the rest of the optical system and controlling deformation of the optical surface from external forces to an acceptable level. For small mirrors, these two functions are combined in a single mount, usually using kinematic principles, such as those discussed in Chapter 10 of Volume 1. For large mirrors, different mechanisms are used for the two functions. This chapter addresses mirror mounts intended to minimize the effect of self-weight deflection from gravity forces acting normal to the mirror surface, that is, when the mirror is in a vertical-axis position.
