Optical scatter due to impact effects

Alan J. Watts; D. R. Atkinson; C. R. Coombs; L. B. Crowell; Michael Black

doi:10.1117/12.142664

11 January 1993 Optical scatter due to impact effects

Alan J. Watts, D. R. Atkinson, C. R. Coombs, L. B. Crowell, Michael Black

Proceedings Volume 1761, Damage to Space Optics, and Properties and Characteristics of Optical Glass; (1993) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.142664
Event: San Diego '92, 1992, San Diego, CA, United States

Abstract

Much recent data from the Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF) have confirmed that for multiyear periods in low earth orbit (LEO) many satellite surfaces (especially the leading edge, or RAM) are subjected to significant bombardment by small particles in the 1 to 100 micron size domain. These particles are both micrometeoroids and man-made debris. Of interest is the consequential effects on precision surfaces such as high-resolution optics. The damage produced does not necessarily seriously downgrade the reflectivity (for mirrors) or transmissivity (for lenses), but can significantly worsen optical scatter. Since many optics are not simple metal mirrors, for which the major response is near-hemispherical cratering, but are frequently comprised of brittle dielectrics (including multilayer coatings) which suffer conchoidal cratering, star cracking, and interlayer differential delamination, the correlation between the induced mechanical damage and the resulting optical scatter is complex. An approach is given which attempts to analytically predict the material damage modes for various impact conditions, and also correlate this damage with optical scatter.

Citation Download Citation

Alan J. Watts, D. R. Atkinson, C. R. Coombs, L. B. Crowell, and Michael Black "Optical scatter due to impact effects", Proc. SPIE 1761, Damage to Space Optics, and Properties and Characteristics of Optical Glass, (11 January 1993); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.142664

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