ABSTRACT
Design of lightweight mirrors is a complex problem, involving optimization of both mirror and mount. The expense and complexity of lightweight mirrors requires careful consideration of design requirements. Scaling laws provide rapid estimates of mirror weight during preliminary design. A significant issue is self-weight deflection of lightweight mirrors. The simplest type of lightweight mirror is the contoured back mirror, of which there are three types: symmetric, single arch, and double arch. The sandwich mirror offers the best stiffness-to-weight ratio of any lightweight mirror but is complex to design and fabricate. Open-back mirrors are low in stiffness but are relatively easy to fabricate. Mounting must be considered as part of the mirror design problem.
