Silicon carbide optics for space and ground based astronomical telescopes

摘要

Silicon Carbide (SiC) optical materials are being applied widely for both space based and ground based opticaltelescopes. The material provides a superior weight to stiffness ratio, which is an important metric for the design andfabrication of lightweight space telescopes. The material also has superior thermal properties with a low coefficient ofthermal expansion, and a high thermal conductivity. The thermal properties advantages are important for both spacebased and ground based systems, which typically need to operate under stressing thermal conditions. The paper willreview L-3 Integrated Optical Systems – SSG’s (L-3 SSG) work in developing SiC optics and SiC optical systems forastronomical observing systems. L-3 SSG has been fielding SiC optical components and systems for over 25 years.Space systems described will emphasize the recently launched Long Range Reconnaissance Imager (LORRI) developedfor JHU-APL and NASA-GSFC. Review of ground based applications of SiC will include supporting L-3 IOS-Brashear’scurrent contract to provide the 0.65 meter diameter, aspheric SiC secondary mirror for the AdvancedTechnology Solar Telescope (ATST).© (2012) COPYRIGHT Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE). Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.