Studies in thin diffraction gratings for flight applications

Ann Shipley, Brian Gleeson, Randall McEntaffer, Webster Cash

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

The quest for maximum throughput in high energy astronomy instruments has influenced an increasing trend in spectrograph design toward closely packed mirror and grating arrays. Gratings have additional challenges to those required for mirrors and are evaluated separately in this study. Since these instruments typically operate above earth's atmosphere, grating arrays are subject to a launch vehicle environment. Packing gratings close together in a confined space decreases substrate thickness below traditionally accepted standards for maintenance of surface figure. The everpresent pressure to minimize mass in flight payloads drives substrates even thinner. The University of Colorado has performed a study of several methods that may be employed to make thin gratings. In this paper, some traditional techniques are compared to less conventional ideas for using thin substrates. Environmental effects necessary for flight applications are also folded into the analysis for each thin grating type.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationOptomechanical Technologies for Astronomy
DOIs
StatePublished - 2006
EventOptomechanical Technologies for Astronomy - Orlando, FL, United States
Duration: May 24 2006May 31 2006

Publication series

NameProceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
Volume6273 II
ISSN (Print)0277-786X

Other

OtherOptomechanical Technologies for Astronomy
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityOrlando, FL
Period5/24/065/31/06

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Computer Science Applications
  • Applied Mathematics
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Studies in thin diffraction gratings for flight applications'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this