Very Large Solar Rejection Filter for Laser Communication, Phase II

This research will benefit future NASA programs requiring interplanetary laser communication. High quality membranes coated with precision optical coatings may be useful for large ground-based, segmented telescopes such as TMT and Hobby-Eberly. Although the concept is still in its infancy, a coating transferred to a glass segment via a polymer membrane would be analogous to tinting an automobile car window. Preliminary evaluations indicate a membrane with less than lambda/6 PTV error, may be useful for segmented mirror systems with active correction. A coating transfer process would eliminate the need for a segment assembly containing motors, controllers, and actuators, from being placed in a vacuum chamber for periodic recoating. More »