Theoretical compensation of static deformations of freeform multi mirror substrates

Varying temperatures influence the figure errors of freeform metal mirrors by thermal expansion. Furthermore, different materials lead to thermo-elastic bending effects. The article presents a derivation of a compensation approach for general static loads. Utilizing perturbation theory this approach works for shape compensation of substrates which operate in various temperature environments. Verification is made using a finite element analysis which is further used to produce manufacturable CAD models. The remaining low spatial frequency errors are deterministically correctable using diamond turning or polishing techniques.