Large Aperture CVC SiC Mirrors for High Energy Laser Applications

This program targets paths that will improve the manufacturing process of high performance chemical vapor composite (CVC) SiC optical mirrors for insertion into any DoD program, with special emphasis on HEL applications. Trex’s patented CVC fabrication process is a rapid, robust, scalable method for making SiC optical components. This work is directly applicable to several directed energy (DE) programs including ARMS, ATL and ABL, and a large number of other non-DE DoD programs that require stiff, lightweight optics. The Phase II technical objective is to increase the maturity and scale of Trex’s manufacturing process to meet the specifications for a specific DoD program. To meet this objective, Trex will refine the Phase I program design and fabricate a 750 mm aperture mirror for testing. In addition, we will fabricate, coat and test 4” sample coupons and several lightweight mirrors. We have also proposed three options for this program. The first addresses the coating and HEL testing of the 750 mm mirror design and the second is targeted at developing the optimal mounting structures for use with CVC SiC and determining the mechanical performance and tolerance capabilities for 0.75-1.5m class mirrors. The third can provide additional large aperture test mirrors.