ZERODUR®
Taking astronomy to the next level
ZERODUR® is used for telescope mirror substrates in monolithic and segmented telescopes. As well as low thermal expansion (any fluctuation in temperature due to environmental changes would obfuscate telescope images), the easy machinability and polishing properties of ZERODUR® make it ideal for adaptive optics. This is why it was used to produce the 40 m segmented primary mirror in the Extremely Large Telescope (ELT) in Chile.
Out of this world
Space applications such as astronomy and earth observation require light and strong materials. ZERODUR® light-weighted mirror substrates withstand strong forces during satellite launch and already orbit our home planet as part of satellites such as Hubble and Chandra. Furthermore, its radiation-resistance and SCHOTT's ability to predict its breakage make ZERODUR® perfect for longtime space missions.
Supporting engineering masterpieces
Extremely precise measurement and analysis of distances and geometrical shapes is an application for which the resistance of ZERODUR® to temperature fluctuations is well-suited.
Better navigation in the air
Special laser cavities, mirror blanks and tiny prisms made from ZERODUR® are part of Ring Laser Gyroscopes, which are at the heart of the inertial navigation systems used in aircraft. These customized components enable a highly precise reference system thanks to their robustness, long lifetime and low gas permeability.
Precision on the nano scale
Miniaturization in integrated circuit (IC) systems requires very precise lithography and wafer positioning, which SCHOTT ZERODUR® very low thermal expansion is ideally suited for. Additionally, the lithographical optics to create high resolution pixel patterns for OLED and LCD displays makes use of this attribute.
