Frozen surface technology

A method for producing a surface, comprising:

• placing a surface element in a mount;
• applying active control to the surface element to adjust a figure of at least a first surface of the surface element, wherein the first surface is a reflective surface, wherein the surface element is a membrane, and wherein placing the surface element in the mount includes placing the membrane under tension;
• sensing the figure of the reflective surface while applying active control to the surface element and while fixing the figure of the reflective surface;
• and
• fixing the figure of the first surface while continuing to apply active control to the surface element, wherein fixing the figure of the first surface includes applying a solidifying material to a second surface of the membrane, and wherein active control continues to be applied to the membrane while the solidifying material is applied to the second surface of the membrane.

A system comprising:

• a surface element, including:
• a first surface, wherein the first surface is a reflective surface;
• a second surface, wherein the surface element includes at least one of a membrane and a shell, and wherein the second surface is opposite the first surface;
• a control plate adjacent the second surface of the surface element;
• a first sensor, wherein the first sensor is operable to provide a signal related to a figure of the reflective surface of the surface element;
• at least a first controller, wherein the signal related to the figure of the reflective surface of the surface element is provided from the first sensor to the first controller;
• a figure control mechanism, wherein the figure control mechanism is operable to actively control the figure of the reflective surface of the surface element, wherein the figure control mechanism is operable to control the figure of the reflective surface of the surface element while the figure is being transitioned to a fixed state, wherein a signal related to the figure of the reflective surface is provided while the figure is being transitioned to the fixed state, wherein a solidifying material is applied to the second surface, wherein active control by the figure control mechanism continues to be applied to the surface element while the solidifying material is applied, and wherein the solidifying material transitions to a cured state to fix the figure of the reflective surface.

A frozen surface system, comprising:

• a surface element, including:
• a first surface, wherein the first surface is a reflective surface;
• a second surface, wherein the surface element includes at least one of a membrane and a shell;
• a control plate adjacent the second surface of the surface element;
• a first sensor, wherein the first sensor is operable to provide a signal related to a figure of the reflective surface of the surface element;
• at least a first controller, wherein the signal related to the figure of the reflective surface of the surface element is provided from the first sensor to the first controller,
• a heater, wherein the heater is operable to place the surface element in a flexible state;
• a figure control mechanism, wherein the figure control mechanism is operable to control the figure of the reflective surface of the surface element while the figure is transitioned to a fixed state.