LSST primary, secondary, and tertiary mirror support systems

The current LSST Baseline Configuration has a field of view of 3.5 degrees and an optical etendue of 302 meters square degrees square. The etendue calculation includes the effect of gradual vignetting by the camera as the field angle increases. A current optical point design includes an 8.4 m spun cast light-weighted borosilicate primary mirror, a 3.2 m secondary mirror and a 5.0 m tertiary mirror. The goal of this study is to determine if these mirrors can be actively supported and retain figure control over elevation angles without closed-loop control based on wave-front measurement. Support systems for the tertiary and primary mirrors are adapted from proven systems utilized on 6.5 and 8.4 m class primaries developed by the University of Arizona's Mirror Laboratory. The number and locations of axial and lateral supports is determined for each mirror and the gravitational and support induced surface distortions are calculated and are shown to be within budgeted limits. The support components and their performance are described and it is demonstrated that predicted mirror distortion attributable to the support system is consistent with the known performance of the support components.