Elimination of Mirror Recoating and Realignment: Optical Contamination Control Using First Contact Polymers on GTC, Keck, LIGO and Starshade Telescopes (Conference Presentation)

James P. Hamilton; Austin K. Rickertsen; Daniel P. Hamilton; David A. Giesen

doi:10.1117/12.2314736

10 July 2018 Elimination of Mirror Recoating and Realignment: Optical Contamination Control Using First Contact Polymers on GTC, Keck, LIGO and Starshade Telescopes (Conference Presentation)

James P. Hamilton, Austin K. Rickertsen, Daniel P. Hamilton, David A. Giesen

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 10706, Advances in Optical and Mechanical Technologies for Telescopes and Instrumentation III; 107061V (2018) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2314736
Event: SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation, 2018, Austin, Texas, United States

Abstract

Many optical surfaces such as space and telescope mirrors are historically "uncleanable" and extraordinary measures are utilized to remove, recoat and therefore subsequently realign astronomical telescope systems resulting in extensive downtimes. Others, such as those used in space systems are extremely sensitive to organic contamination and particulate and residue removal is critical to performance. In this paper we present some recent data and examples that the strip coating First Contact Polymer, resulting from R&D from our labs, restores astronomical mirrors to like new condition by cleaning in situ and provides superior cleaning & protection from recontamination for telescopes, space instruments and other technologically important surfaces. We will also present data that these polymeric systems clean to the atomic level and that Laser Induced Damage (LIDT) results indicate that it leaves no residue. We will present details and supporting evidence that that our polymers, that were a critical enabling technology in LIGO’s Gravity wave discoveries of 2016, can greatly extend the lifetime of current mirror coatings on large astronomical mirrors.

Conference Presentation

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James P. Hamilton, Austin K. Rickertsen, Daniel P. Hamilton, and David A. Giesen "Elimination of Mirror Recoating and Realignment: Optical Contamination Control Using First Contact Polymers on GTC, Keck, LIGO and Starshade Telescopes (Conference Presentation)", Proc. SPIE 10706, Advances in Optical and Mechanical Technologies for Telescopes and Instrumentation III, 107061V (10 July 2018); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2314736

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KEYWORDS

Space telescopes

Mirrors

Polymers

Telescopes

Contamination control

LIGO

Astronomical telescopes

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