Abstract

Large mirrors in aluminium clearly appear as an alternative to conventionnal glass mirror in terms of shorter manufacturing time, reduced brittleness and lower cost. Such mirrors require active support allowing diffraction limited imaging. They are well suited for both ground-based and spaceborne large telescopes.

The purpose of this paper is to present the status of the LAMA project and to emphasize the recent progress in manufacturing process of the aluminium blank, in coating and polishing, and in active control strategy.

© 1992 Optical Society of America