Optical surface refurbishment in space environmentThe potential use of the vacuum environment of space to clean contaminated mirror surfaces or generate Al mirror surfaces with high reflectance in the 80-200-nm region is discussed and illustrated with diagrams and graphs, reviewing previous studies and current experiment proposals. Consideration is given to (1) applying the atomic oxygen plasma environment of LEO to clean coated mirrors and (2) depositing freshly evaporated Al onto a mirror surface in vacuum, providing relatively long periods of high EUV reflectance before oxidation of the surface degrades performance: such a procedure could be performed as a maintenance measure or even incorporated into the design of a space observatory. A free-flying experiment is described which would produce and maintain an Al surface with controlled exposure to OH, H2O, and O2; demonstrate directed-beam Al deposition onto a simulated telescope/spectrometer surface; monitor instrument reflectance/sensitivity over time; and demonstrate in situ refurbishment of the degraded surface.
Document ID
19910045058
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Heaney, James B. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Herzig, Howard (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Osantowski, John F. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Toft, Albert R. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)