Novel Processing Methods for Space Optical Coatings - Phase II

The mission of the U.S. Air Force has expanded to include responsibility for global intelligence and force projection-the ability to "reach out and touch someone" anywhere on Earth. To meet these mission requirements, the Air Force has greatly expandedits space technology development efforts.Space-deployable membranes have the potential to yield large gains in systems capabilities through the reduction of structural mass and launch volume. Because of the large distances involved, the shape of the membrane, particularly the reflective surface,must be closely controlled to achieve the desired resolution-even with the use of real-time holography correction methods. The means to control membrane shape or otherwise maintain optical performance do not yet exist.Thor Technologies, Inc., with Mound Laser & Photonics Center, Inc. (MLPC) and Prof. Mast of the University of Cincinnati (UC), will use an innovative process to produce prototype mesoscale arrays on polymer substrates, and novel methods to characterizetheir electrical and optical performance.The Principal Investigator has considerable experience in application of synthetic chemistry to materials processing, MLPC has unique processing capabilities, and UC has unique characterization capabilities. The team is well qualified to prepare andcharacterize prototype mesoscopic patterns and arrays.