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Telescope Mirror and Lens Materials
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Borosilicate Glass
Resistant to thermal shock; more affordable alternative to Pyrex, often used in amateur telescopes.
Calcium Fluoride
Low dispersion and high transmission from UV to infrared; used in specialty lenses and as a substrate for coatings in refracting telescope objectives.
Aluminum
Good reflectivity, inexpensive, and easy to shape; commonly used with a protective and enhancing coating for primary telescope mirrors.
Magnesium Fluoride
Low refractive index and high resistance to thermal and physical shocks; used for anti-reflective coatings on lenses and sometimes as the lens material itself.
Zerodur
Nearly zero thermal expansion; used for large telescope mirrors that require very stable figures to maintain high optical quality.
Beryllium
Low density and high thermal stability; used for lightweight mirrors in space and military telescopes where weight and quick thermal response are critical.
Silicon Carbide
High strength-to-weight ratio; used for lightweight telescope mirror substrates, particularly for space-based applications.
Pyrex Glass
Low thermal expansion coefficient; used for making mirror substrates because it maintains its shape as temperatures change.
Fused Silica (Quartz)
Very low thermal expansion and excellent optical properties; used in space telescopes and high precision optics where stability and clarity are critical.
ULE Glass (Ultra-Low Expansion Glass)
Extremely low thermal expansion; ideal for use in space telescopes and other instruments requiring precision over a wide temperature range.
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