Richard F. Caris Mirror Lab

Richard F. Caris Mirror Lab A team of scientists, engineers and technicians are making giant, lightweight mirrors of unprecedented power. At the University of Arizona's Richard F.

Caris Mirror Laboratory, our scientists, engineers, and technicians develop innovations in the design and fabrication of large lightweight mirrors with unprecedented surface accuracy. These mirrors represent a radical departure from the conventional solid-glass mirrors used in the past, producing a new generation of telescopes now exploring the universe in optical and infrared light. They have a h

oneycomb structure on the inside; made out of Ohara E-6 low expansion glass which is molded by melting it into a honeycomb interior while spin casting in a custom-designed rotating oven. Honeycomb mirrors offer the advantages of their solid counterparts - rigidity and stability - but they can be significantly larger, and dramatically lighter.

We are grateful that our lab continues to be in the top 10% of things to do worldwide! Thank you for the recognition Tr...
04/29/2026

We are grateful that our lab continues to be in the top 10% of things to do worldwide! Thank you for the recognition Tripadvisor!

03/20/2025

The heat is on!

03/19/2025

It's happening! Loading glass inside the furnace!

The lid is off the furnace and the walkway is in place to begin placing the glass inside the furnace.
03/19/2025

The lid is off the furnace and the walkway is in place to begin placing the glass inside the furnace.

03/19/2025

Lid is being placed on the furnace for the prefire!

02/28/2025
Installing cores means the next step is glass inspection!
02/28/2025

Installing cores means the next step is glass inspection!

The cores are ready to be installed inside the casting furnace!
02/27/2025

The cores are ready to be installed inside the casting furnace!

02/26/2025

A casting member is machining the cores to install them inside the furnace. As the glass melts, it seeps between these cores giving a mirror the honeycomb shape.

Address

527 National Championship Drive
Tucson, AZ
85721

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Richard F. Caris Mirror Lab posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The University

Send a message to Richard F. Caris Mirror Lab:

Shortcuts

Share