Effects of long term exposure on optical substrates and coatings (SOO50-1)

The experiment consisted of fused silica and ultra low expansion (ULE(tm)) glass samples which were either uncoated or had high reflectance silver, antireflectance, or solar rejection coatings. A set of duplicate control samples was manufactured and stored in a controlled environment for comparison purposes. Data on the analysis of the contaminate deposited on the samples, micrometeoroid impact, and the environmental effects on the substrate materials and coatings are presented. Some results of particular interest are that the contaminate composition varied between different types of samples, fractures were incurred in the glass at the micrometeoroid impact site, and no darkening of the ULE(tm) glass occurred due to the radiation exposure.