Polymer liquid crystal membrane filters in space applications

Alison M. Thomas; Chrysa M. Theodore; Patrick J. Hood

doi:10.1117/12.405366

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26 October 2000 Polymer liquid crystal membrane filters in space applications

Alison M. Thomas, Chrysa M. Theodore, Patrick J. Hood

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Proceedings Volume 4134, Photonics for Space Environments VII; (2000) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.405366
Event: International Symposium on Optical Science and Technology, 2000, San Diego, CA, United States

Abstract

The materials and process technology necessary to fabricate free- standing, circularly-polarizing thin films based on chiral polymer liquid crystalline materials has recently been demonstrated. Free-standing membranes with thicknesses on the order of 10 microns and diameters in excess of 7 cm have been fabricated. The spectrally selective films possess exceptional optical and mechanical properties, exhibiting polarization contrast in excess of 250 with out-of-band transmission greater than 95%. The theory and performance of these filters are presented with specific attention given to the predicted effects of space environments on the durability of this materials technology. Environmental effects to be discussed include wide temperature cycling, radiation and atomic oxygen scavenging.

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Alison M. Thomas, Chrysa M. Theodore, and Patrick J. Hood "Polymer liquid crystal membrane filters in space applications", Proc. SPIE 4134, Photonics for Space Environments VII, (26 October 2000); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.405366

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