The present invention is related to a method of manufacturing a mirror. The objective of the present invention is to propose very thin, mechanically and thermally stable minors with excellent surface properties as well as a manufacturing process for such minors. The method of manufacturing a minor in accordance with the invention comprises the steps of: (a) Providing a mandrel having the negative shape of the minor; (b) Applying a reflecting layer of reflective material on the mandrel surface; (c) Applying a bonding layer of bonding material on the reflective material; (d) Applying a structural layer of structural material on the bonding layer; and (e) Releasing the mirror from the mandrel. In particular, the reflecting material may be Gold, Iridium, Rhodium or Nickel, the bonding material may be Nickel, Nickel Cobalt or Nickel alloys, and the structural material may be Titanium or Titanium alloys.

A manufacturing method creates a type of telescope which is athermal, lightweight, optical quality for visible and IR applications. The method includes: a) optical mirrors being made by immersing a master, that is an optical component with a curvature opposite to the mirror required into an electrolytic bath where the applied current transfers metal ions and deposit them on the master, the cathode, as a layer, b) the layer being bonded by an adhesive, solder or any other attachment process to a mechanical reinforcing structure, c) after the hardening of the bond or glue, the thin layer being finally released from the master and having maintained the optical quality of the master.

The master or mandrel can be cleaned and reused for repeating this method and manufacturing large series of telescopes.

Systems and methods for tin antimony plating are provided. One plating method includes doping a tin (Sn) plating solution with antimony (Sb). One method also includes electroplating a component using the antimony-doped tin plating. The antimony-doped tin plating formed by one method includes between about 1% and about 3% antimony.

A metal recovery method includes: injecting a solution containing metal existing in an ionic state into a container where electrode plates are disposed; keeping the solution stationary relative to the electrode plates; passing a current between the electrode plates to form a sponge-like porous metal body on an electrode plate serving as a cathode; and separating the sponge-like porous metal body from the electrode. The deposited metal on the electrode does not adhere to the electrode plate, and thus can be recovered.