Background
Glass Mountain Optics manufactures glass collimating mirrors for use in large aperture energy collection arrays. GMO's precision collimating mirrors and specially engineered optical coatings offer performance superior to that of other glass alternatives, electroformed mirrors or reproduced acrylic mirrors. GMO can fabricate mirrors using a variety of substrates depending on environmental constraints. Extensive experience and innovations in our production process allow GMO to produce concentrator array segments on thin substrates, allowing for decreased weight without compromising optical performance.
Photo Courtesy of University of Texas/DESY Hera-B
Quality
Proprietary techniques developed for the fabrication of lightweight flight simulation mirrors have been refined to allow for the long focal lengths used in collection arrays. GMO has developed in-process and final testing methods to yield near 100% energy return for each segment produced. Process controls allow for matched arrays that significantly decrease set-up and alignment time in the field. GMO offers its experience and expertise in developing lightweight mirror holder arrangements to further speed alignment of multi-segment arrays.
Capabilities and Services
- Superior optical performance resulting in better resolutions and higher energy return compared to electroform, acrylic and other glass mirrors.
- Proprietary polish methods produce a substrate that offers increased coating durability for longer life cycles.
- High reflectance coatings optimized for specific applications.
- Design assistance for optimization of system performance, mounting technology and testing.
- Large tooling inventory to accommodate a variety of sizes and radii.
- Radii are matched to ensure complete interchangeability.
- Float glass, Pyrex ®, Borofloat ® and other substrates available.
- Radius corrected arrays are available to achieve parabolic performance.
- Custom mirror shapes and cutouts to accommodate instrumentation and system hardware.
Industry Experience
GMO's array segments have been accepted as the industry standard for quality. Demanding applications have been satisfied by our mirrors and used by the forerunners in research and development:
Hexagonal segments for The University of Texas HERA-B array in conjunction with Deutsches Elektronen Synchrotron (DESY).
Record solar flux concentrations have been obtained at the Solar Energy Research Institute (SERI), now the National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL), at Golden, Colorado using GMO's array segments.
- The University of Chicago High Energy Physics Department at The Enrico Fermi Institute.
- Prototype segments for the GEO Light Imaging National Test-bed (GLINT) array for Trex Enterprises.