CO2 jet spray cleaning for optical systems

Jimmy L. Clark; Marc Wigdor; Erwin Myrick

doi:10.1117/12.481662

11 September 2002 CO₂ jet spray cleaning for optical systems

Jimmy L. Clark, Marc Wigdor, Erwin Myrick

Proceedings Volume 4774, Optical System Contamination: Effects, Measurements, and Control VII; (2002) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.481662
Event: International Symposium on Optical Science and Technology, 2002, Seattle, WA, United States

Abstract

Under sponsorship by the Ballistic Missile Defense Organization, now Missile Defense Agency (MDA), Raytheon designed a system that allows in-situ/on orbit cleaning of particulates from contaminated optical surfaces in a satellite sensor. The system is based on the release of CO₂ from specially designed nozzles to create a gas/snow mixture that lifts the particulates from the surfaces. The ultimate purpose of the program is to reduce the risk of optical surface contamination due to launch vibrations and, potentially, ease cleanliness requirements during the ground integration of space-based optical sensors by performing optical element cleaning while in orbit. Significant cost savings in satellite construction, integration, ground preparation and, potentially, satellite optical aperture design criteria could be realized by this method. Ground and space demonstration experiments were designed and the ground vacuum chamber demonstration was conducted and successfully cleaned using the jet spray technology. Measurements of the mirrors cleanliness levels were made prior to and after vacuum chamber cleaning demonstration. These intentionally contaminated mirrors were shown to be restored to a near- pristine condition after cleaning in each chamber test. Additionally, estimates of the particle migration after cleaning were made including an estimated level of mirror re-contamination.

Citation Download Citation

Jimmy L. Clark, Marc Wigdor, and Erwin Myrick "CO₂ jet spray cleaning for optical systems", Proc. SPIE 4774, Optical System Contamination: Effects, Measurements, and Control VII, (11 September 2002); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.481662

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