An optical element support system and a method of supporting an optical element are provided. The optical element includes an optical axis, an arcuate front surface, and a back surface. The optical element support system includes an axial support system that provides axial support to the optical element in a direction parallel to the optical axis of the optical element, and further includes a lateral support system that provides lateral support to the optical element in one or more directions perpendicular to the optical axis of the optical element that is offset from a center-of-gravity of the optical element.

An optical device can deal with a relative difference in thermal expansion coefficient between a reflecting mirror and a mirror supporting member, and can also support the reflecting mirror with a simpler structure than the conventional one. The optical device includes: a reflecting mirror including a reflecting surface to reflect light, and a supported portion disposed on a rear surface and having three supported surfaces arranged with rotational symmetry of 120 degrees around an optical axis, the rear surface being a surface of the reflecting mirror existing on the contrary side to the reflecting surface; a structural member provided on a rear side of reflecting mirror; and three supporting members, each of the three supporting members including a mirror supporting portion connected to and supporting each of the three supported surfaces, and having two ends connected to the structural member.

An optical device can deal with a relative difference in thermal expansion coefficient between a reflecting mirror and a mirror supporting member, and can also support the reflecting mirror with a simpler structure than the conventional one. The optical device includes: a reflecting mirror including a reflecting surface to reflect light, and a supported portion disposed on a rear surface and having three supported surfaces arranged with rotational symmetry of 120 degrees around an optical axis, the rear surface being a surface of the reflecting mirror existing on the contrary side to the reflecting surface; a structural member provided on a rear side of reflecting mirror; and three supporting members, each of the three supporting members including a mirror supporting portion connected to and supporting each of the three supported surfaces, and having two ends connected to the structural member.

The present invention is directed to an adjustable optical element supporting structure comprising a first structure group, a second structure group, a third structure group and a fourth structure group. The second structure group is disposed on the first structure group, the third structure group is disposed on the second structure group, and the fourth structure group is disposed on the third structure group. Each of the first structure group, the second structure group and the third structure group includes a supporting beam and a node assemble, and the position of the node assemble can be adjusted along a radial or a tangential direction. The fourth structure group is a supporting member having three branches, and a supporting pad made by an elastic material is disposed on the supporting member for supporting an optical element. Accordingly, the present invention can evenly support the optical element having different sizes and structures.

The present invention is directed to an adjustable optical element supporting structure comprising a first structure group, a second structure group, a third structure group and a fourth structure group. The second structure group is disposed on the first structure group, the third structure group is disposed on the second structure group, and the fourth structure group is disposed on the third structure group. Each of the first structure group, the second structure group and the third structure group includes a supporting beam and a node assemble, and the position of the node assemble can be adjusted along a radial or a tangential direction. The fourth structure group is a supporting member having three branches, and a supporting pad made by an elastic material is disposed on the supporting member for supporting an optical element. Accordingly, the present invention can evenly support the optical element having different sizes and structures.

A cordierite-based ceramic(s) is provided where a main crystalline phase thereof is a cordierite crystalline phase, a content of Mg is 13.2% by mass or more and 13.8% by mass or less in an MgO equivalent, a content of Al is 26.0% by mass or more and 32.1% by mass or less in an Al.sub.2O.sub.3 equivalent, a content of Bi is 1.6% by mass or more and 4.6% by mass or less in a Bi.sub.2O.sub.3 equivalent, a content of B is 1.5% by mass or more and 6.8% by mass or less in a B.sub.2O.sub.3 equivalent, and a content of Si is 49.4% by mass or more and 51.4% by mass or less in an SiO.sub.2 equivalent.

An example light concentrator system for precision thermal processes includes a stabilizing base and a structure attached to the stabilizing base. The structure includes support arms. An azimuth control rotates the structure. A primary solar collector on the support arms is rotatable about two axes based on various positions of the sun throughout the day. Elevation actuators adjust an angle of the primary solar collector relative to position of the sun. Collector distancing actuators adjust distance of the primary solar collector toward and away from the sun. A variety of Thermal Processing Units (TPUs) are configured for a specific process or set of processes implementing concentrated solar energy from the primary solar collector at the receiver plane. Position of the spot can be moved on a fixed receiver plane through translation of the lens relative to the support arms or through rotation of a redirecting mirror.

An example light concentrator system for precision thermal processes includes a stabilizing base and a structure attached to the stabilizing base. The structure includes support arms. An azimuth control rotates the structure. A primary solar collector on the support arms is rotatable about two axes based on various positions of the sun throughout the day. Elevation actuators adjust an angle of the primary solar collector relative to position of the sun. Collector distancing actuators adjust distance of the primary solar collector toward and away from the sun. A variety of Thermal Processing Units (TPUs) are configured for a specific process or set of processes implementing concentrated solar energy from the primary solar collector at the receiver plane. Position of the spot can be moved on a fixed receiver plane through translation of the lens relative to the support arms or through rotation of a redirecting mirror.

Baffled Calotte dome observation and/or communications systems are disclosed. For instance, a visible or infrared telescope and associated sensor systems, a laser, etc., may be enclosed in a Calotte dome with a baffle mounted on the opening and a window and/or filter mounted on top of the baffle. The Calotte dome steers the baffle in both elevation and azimuth, enabling the system to point and track objects moving on arbitrary trajectories.

The invention relates to a linear drive unit comprising a first and second actuator element, a guiding unit configured to enable a linear relative movement between both actuator elements, a first and second power unit, each attached to the first actuator element and configured to provide the second actuator element with a respective first and second driving force, and a control unit for controlling both power units and configured to control the first and second driving force such that the first driving force can be different from the second driving force. The invention further relates to a telescope comprising a linear drive unit as well as to a method of aligning such telescope.