Contamination and radiation effects on spaceflight laser systems

Hossin A. Abdeldayem; Edward Dowdye; John Canham; Todd Jaeger

doi:10.1117/12.622345

30 August 2005 Contamination and radiation effects on spaceflight laser systems

Hossin A. Abdeldayem, Edward Dowdye, John Canham, Todd Jaeger

Proceedings Volume 5897, Photonics for Space Environments X; 589705 (2005) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.622345
Event: Optics and Photonics 2005, 2005, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

Space Lasers are vital tools for NASA's space missions and military applications. Although, lasers are highly reliable on the ground, several past space laser missions proved to be short-lived and unreliable. In this communication, we are shedding more light on the contamination and radiation issues, which are the most common causes for optical damages and laser failures in space. At first, we will present results based on the study of liquids and subsequently correlate these results to the particulates of the laser system environment. We present a model explaining how the laser beam traps contaminants against the optical surfaces and cause optical damages and the role of gravity in the process. We also report the results of the second harmonic generation efficiency for nonlinear optical crystals irradiated with high-energy beams of protons. In addition, we are proposing to employ the technique of adsorption to minimize the presence of adsorbing molecules present in the laser compartment.

Citation Download Citation

Hossin A. Abdeldayem, Edward Dowdye, John Canham, and Todd Jaeger "Contamination and radiation effects on spaceflight laser systems", Proc. SPIE 5897, Photonics for Space Environments X, 589705 (30 August 2005); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.622345

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