CVC SiC Mirrors Designed for High Energy Laser Applications

This program targets paths that will improve the manufacturing process and further reduce Trex's fabrication costs and delivery schedule for the provision of high performance chemical vapor composite (CVC) SiC optical mirrors to any DoD program, with special emphasis in the area of high energy laser application. Trex's patented CVC fabrication process is a scalable, low cost, and rapid method for making SiC optical components. In addition to the ABL and ARMS programs, there are a large number of other programs within DoD that require high stiffness, lightweight, low cost manufacturing processes for optics. The Phase I technical objective is to establish the feasibility of Trex's advanced manufacturing process for meeting the specifications for a specific DoD program. To meet this objective, Trex will fabricate and coat coupons and mirrors for evaluation and testing. We will also provide a coating evaluation report and a recommendation on scaling the mirror manufacturing process to 0.75-1.5m class. The results above will establish the feasibility of the Trex process for meeting the goals of the program and provide a plan for manufacturing 0.75m mirrors during a Phase II program.