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Toward Blazed UV Gratings for the Habitable Worlds Observatory and Beyond

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

Abstract

The Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO) and other future missions require advancements in component technologies to achieve their science objectives. We discuss here several techniques developed through the Strategic Astrophysics Technologies program to manufacture blazed gratings for ultraviolet (UV) spectroscopy. Prototype gratings fabricated with electron-beam lithography (EBL) and KOH etching have shown peak-order groove efficiencies in excess of 65% across the far and extreme UV. While efforts continue to further optimize EBL and KOH-etch processes for UV applications, development has begun on two additional fabrication techniques to produce blazed UV gratings: EBL paired with ion-beam etching, and thermally activated selective topography equilibration. We provide an overview of each fabrication technique, review recent performance measurements, and discuss the path toward developing blazed UV gratings for HWO and beyond.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationUV/Optical/IR Space Telescopes and Instruments
Subtitle of host publicationInnovative Technologies and Concepts XII
EditorsJonathan W. Arenberg, H. Philip Stahl
PublisherSPIE
ISBN (Electronic)9781510691544
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 18 2025
Event12th UV/Optical/IR Space Telescopes and Instruments: Innovative Technologies and Concepts - San Diego, United States
Duration: Aug 3 2025Aug 5 2025

Publication series

NameProceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
Volume13623
ISSN (Print)0277-786X
ISSN (Electronic)1996-756X

Conference

Conference12th UV/Optical/IR Space Telescopes and Instruments: Innovative Technologies and Concepts
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySan Diego
Period8/3/258/5/25

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

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

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