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About

Pierluigi Fumi is a leading figure in astronomical instrumentation, specializing in the design and development of advanced optics and support systems for ground- and space-based telescopes. His major contributions lie in two key areas: the fabrication of next-generation x-ray optics and the engineering of active telescope support structures. For future x-ray missions, Fumi pioneered a method for the accurate integration of segmented optics using interfacing ribs, enabling the creation of lightweight, low-cost mirrors from slumped borosilicate glass—a critical step toward achieving large effective areas with high angular resolution (e.g., 5 arc sec HEW). This work, published in 2013, has garnered 21 citations and is foundational for long-focal-length telescopes. On the ground, Fumi engineered the secondary mirror support system for the VST (VLT Survey Telescope), a project cited 18 times. This system is integral to the telescope’s active optics, providing precise positioning to correct defocus and coma aberrations. His work bridges the gap between innovative optical design and practical, high-performance engineering, directly enabling clearer views of the cosmos.