Silicon Carbide Steering Mirrors for High Energy Laser Applications

SSG Precision Optronics proposes the development of a SiC mirror substrate for application and evaluation in a FSM system within the Airborne Laser program. The proposed work continues the Phase 1 SBIR effort which examined preliminary design trades based upon performance advantages of bulk SiC, manufacturing advantages of SSGPO's slip-cast formulation of SiC, and Tinsley's Computer-Controlled Optical Surfacing (CCOS) process. The goal of the Phase 2 effort is to develop a mirror substrate for direct line-replacement in an existing FSM system within the ABL optical train. The Phase 1 design model meets thermal and dynamic performance requirements for the most challenging beam steering subsystem within ABL. Further analysis work in Phase 2 will examine the mirror design with regards to: vibration and gravity sag requirements; interface optimization with the central flexure and VCM; system performance trades; and manufacturability and risk. Two full aperture mirror substrate designs in both open-back and closed-back configurations will be manufactured and evaluated. The design exceeding in dynamic and thermal performance will be fully developed into a line-replacement FSM mirror. The work proposed advances the performance of key beam steering systems in the ABL optical train and will advance the state-of-art for agile HEL mechanisms.