SCHOTT solutions no. 1/2016 > Optical Mirrors

The Hobby-Eberly Telescope in Austin, Texas, is equipped with an 11-meter mirror made of 91 SCHOTT ZERODUR® elements. The Dark Energy Experiment also uses BOROFLOAT® mirrors in 150 spectrographs. Photo: Ethan Tweedie Photography
Enlightening the darkness of the cosmos
Optical mirrors made of BOROFLOAT® specialty glass installed in the Hobby Eberly Telescope help to solve one of the greatest mysteries of our universe: ”Dark Energy.”
Christiane Gallo
According to scientific research, normal matter of stars, planets and living beings makes up only four percent of the total mass and energy of the cosmos. So-called “dark matter,” which is responsible for the gravitational pull and cohesion of galaxies and galaxy clusters, accounts for nearly 21 percent. ”Dark energy,” however, contributes the lion’s share of over 74 percent. Many cosmologists share the theory that it is responsible for the faster expansion of our universe – in spite of the opposing force of matter. Nevertheless, no evidence has yet been presented that dark energy even exists. Researchers are trying to support their theories with the help of powerful particle accelerators or space telescopes.

Left: Model of the upgraded Hobby-Eberly Telescope. The 150 spectrographs are contained in the curved gray ”saddlebags” on the side of the telescope. Photo: McDonald Observatory/HETDEX Collaboration Right: ”BOROFLOAT® contributes significantly to the fact that researchers can take a look back at the earliest millennia to better understand the forces of the universe,” says Dan Bukaty Jr., President of Precision Glass and Optics Inc. Photo: SCHOTT
The spectrographs rely on optical mirrors made of BOROFLOAT® special glass. The floated borosilicate glass from SCHOTT was chosen because of its exceptional properties. Its low thermal expansion coefficient helps to ensure consistency of the spectrograph’s high resolution and its measurement results. In addition, the special glass offers high chemical resistance and excellent mechanical strength due to its high content of boron oxide. The low refraction index in combination with excellent light transmission are key requirements for reliable test results from the spectrograph.
”The special glass contributes significantly to the fact that researchers can take a look back at the earliest millennia to better understand the forces of the universe,” says Dan Bukaty Jr., President of Precision Glass and Optics Inc., the US company that processes BOROFLOAT® special glass into optical mirrors. <
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robert.gandenberger@us.schott.com
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