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Diverse Electron-Induced Optical Emissions from Space Observatory Materials at Low TemperaturesElectron irradiation experiments have investigated the diverse electron-induced optical and electrical signatures observed in ground-based tests of various space observatory materials at low temperature. Three types of light emission were observed: (i); long-duration cathodoluminescence which persisted as long as the electron beam was on (ii) short-duration (<1 s) arcing, resulting from electrostatic discharge; and (iii) intermediate-duration (~100 s) glow-termed "flares". We discuss how the electron currents and arcing-as well as light emission absolute intensity and frequency-depend on electron beam energy, power, and flux and the temperature and thickness of different bulk (polyimides, epoxy resins, and silica glasses) and composite dielectric materials (disordered SiO2 thin films, carbon- and fiberglass-epoxy composites, and macroscopically-conductive carbon-loaded polyimides). We conclude that electron-induced optical emissions resulting from interactions between observatory materials and the space environment electron flux can, in specific circumstances, make significant contributions to the stray light background that could possibly adversely affect the performance of space-based observatories.
Document ID
20140010841
Acquisition Source
Goddard Space Flight Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Dennison, J.R.
(Utah State Univ. Logan, UT, United States)
Jensen, Amberly Evans
(Utah State Univ. Logan, UT, United States)
Wilson, Gregory
(Utah State Univ. Logan, UT, United States)
Dekany, Justin
(Utah State Univ. Logan, UT, United States)
Bowers, Charles W.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD United States)
Meloy, Robert
(ASRC Federal Space and Defense Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Date Acquired
August 19, 2014
Publication Date
August 25, 2013
Subject Category
Composite Materials
Report/Patent Number
GSFC-E-DAA-TN11464
Meeting Information
Meeting: SPIE Optics + Photonics
Location: San Diego, CA
Country: United States
Start Date: August 25, 2013
End Date: August 29, 2013
Sponsors: International Society for Optical Engineering
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Public Use Permitted.
Keywords
long-duration cathodoluminescence
electron-induced optical emissions
Electron irradiation
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