Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, 60 Garden Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138

99 -- FABRICATION OF OPTICAL ELEMENTS FOR WIDE-FIELD CORRECTOR SOL RFP515-12-94 DUE 022295 POC Contact Point, Peter W. Sozanski, 617/495-7376, Contracting Officer, George D. Dick, 617/495-7401,, FAX 617/496-7692 Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO) requires a contractor to fabricate the optical elements for a wide-field refractive corrector to be used at the f/5 focus of the Multiple Mirror Telescope (MMT). This corrector will be placed in operation after the MMT is converted to use a single 6.5 meter primary mirror. With the refractive corrector in place, the converted MMT will have a 1 degree diameter field-of-view, producing a focal surface approximately 0.61 meters in diameter. The useful spectral range of the corrector will be between wavelengths of 3200 Angstroms and 2 micrometers. The corrector will require two zero-deviation prisms pairs (with a diameter of 75 centimeters) and four fused silica lenses (with diameters ranging between 52 and of 85 centimeters and center thickness of up to 11 centimeters). The zero-deviation prisms will be used for compensation of atmospheric dispersion;;each prism consists of a bonded pair of Ohara FSL5Y and PBL6Y elements, and the contractor will be responsible for bonding these FSL5Y and PBL6Y elements. The surfaces of the prisms are plano. The prism blanks will be supplied by SAO and are expected to be available by June 1995. The surfaces of the lenses are spherical with radii of curvative between 57 and 750 centimeters. The lens blanks, which will be supplied to the contractor by SAO, are expected to be available by approximately June 1995. The two largest blanks will be provided with a sagged radii of approximately 63 centimeters, and the two smaller blanks will be provided with a plano-plano geometry. We anticipate that the concave surfaces of the lenses will be tested with an optical interferometer, and the convex surfaces with test plates in combination with a precise profilometer, but we will consider alternative testing techniques. The completed optical elements will be required to be completed by the Contractor by June 1996. Only written or faxed requests (Fax #617/496-7692) received directly from the requestor are acceptable. All responsible sources may submit an offer. No telephone requests for the solicitation package will be accepted. (0364)

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