PROJECT TITLE: Diamond Turned Composite Optics
TECHNICAL ABSTRACT (LIMIT 200 WORDS)
The demands for lighter, lower cost optics for space and aircraft are constantly increasing. These demands are being driven by the costs associated with aunching in spacecraft or costs associated with flying bulky payloads in aircraft. The payload weight factors into these costs. These demands must be met while maintaining or improving the performance of the optical system. It is proposed that a mirror constructed with metal coated carbon fiber reinforced cyanate ester facesheets and lightweight core can meet all of these requirements. The facesheets and core must be designed using very high modulus, thin facesheets, and a stable and uniform core structure. It will be demonstrated that a thin metallic coating on a composite face sheet and a lightweight core structure can be diamond turned to a figure of ΒΌ wave @.6328 microns or better while weighing less than 7 kg/m2 and remain stable over a wide temperature range.
POTENTIAL COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS
Lightweight, thermally stable, high precision optics for aircraft and satellite sensors such as Lidar or Laser Communications.
NAME AND ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
Harold R. Clark Composite Optics, Incorporated 9617 Distribution Avenue San Diego , CA 92121 - 2307
NAME AND ADDRESS OF OFFEROR
Composite Optics, Incorporated 9617 Distribution Avenue San Diego , CA 92121 - 2307