ABSTRACT
We flew specimens of eight different optical coating materials in low earth orbit as part of the Long Duration Exposure Facility manifest to determine their ability to withstand exposure to the residual atomic O and other environmental effects at those altitudes. We included samples of Al, Au, Ir, Os, Pt, Al + MgF(2), Al + SiO(x), and chemical-vapor-deposited SiC, representing reflective optical applications from the vacuum ultraviolet through the visible portions of the spectrum. We found that the majority of the materials suffered sufficient reflectance degradation to warrant careful consideration in the design of future space-flight instrumentation.
ABSTRACT
In the course of the development of a domed magnesium fluoride detector window for the Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph, slated to be a second-generation instrument aboard the Hubble Space Telescope, sample window materials from various commercial sources displayed a wide variability in vacuum ultraviolet transmittance. As a result a test program was undertaken in cooperation with the supplier of a prototype domed window to maximize transmittance. Results of the program have provided clues to the causes of the variations experienced, and they point to careful selection of raw materials and strict process control to achieve optimization.
ABSTRACT
The grazing incidence reflectance of silicon carbide films produced by plasma-assisted chemical vapor deposition has been evaluated in the spectral region from 256 to 1216 A. The results show that reflectivities higher than conventional coatings can be obtained on coatings deposited both on silicon wafers and quartz substrates. Potential application of silicon carbide films for EUV astronomical instruments will be discussed.
ABSTRACT
The design and features of a 2-m evaporator suitable for coating large mirrors uniformly with Al + MgF(2) and Al + LiF films of high reflectance in the vacuum uv are described. The techniques used for monitoring film thicknesses during the film deposition and for producing films of uniform thicknesses over large areas are discussed. It is shown that the Al films for MgF(2)_ and LiF-protected mirrors of highest reflectance in the vacuum uv down to 1000 A should be 700-800 A thick. Data on the vacuum uv reflectance of Al coated with MgF(2) films of various thicknesses are presented. It was found that mirror coatings prepared in a large evaporator have a higher reflectance in the vacuum uv than those deposited under the same vacuum and deposition conditions in a small vacuum unit. At lambda = 1216 A, the reflectance of Al overcoated with 250 A of MgF(2) was measured to be about 85%.
