Off-Axis Rejection Collimation Assembly (OARCA) for Solar Lunar Exclusion Testing in Cryo-Vacuum Space Simulation Test Chambers

ABSTRACT: Optical Sciences Corporation proposes to demonstrate the feasibility and present a plan for developing the innovative Off-Axis Rejection Collimator Assembly (OARCA) for solar lunar exclusion sensor testing in cryo-vacuum space simulation test chambers. The OARCA merges an all-reflective collimator with a novel pupil optical relay design implementation and infrared quantum cascade laser sources. The external pupil will have a large irradiance test area for off-axis illumination of sensor under test apertures>10 inches in diameter. The OARCA all-reflective design can accommodate any wavelength between 1-20 m in the infrared and is designed to be polarization insensitive. The cryo-vacuum compatible optical system will project this broadband radiation with the radiometrically correct inband solar lunar irradiance and a 0.5 degree angular subtense of the extended solar lunar source. The projection system and proposed technology is designed to meet or exceed the objectives outlined in the SBIR AF112-188 topic. BENEFIT: The product resulting at the end of the Phase II research will be an Off-Axis Rejection Collimator Assembly (OARCA) and will be a highly specialized OAR measurement illumination system suitable for use in confined space simulation facilities designed for the T & E of space sensors. The product will be compatible with cryogenic vacuum environments with demonstrated effectiveness by integration into an existing test chamber. The proposed OARCA system concept product could potentially improve solar simulator optical systems and represent the true angular subtense of the solar with low background scatter. This is a growing market with greater interest and proliferation of infrared sensors and the adoption of solar energy. Optical Sciences Corporation believes there are multiple avenues of commercial potential for a solar simulator in the different wavebands other than space sensor testing applications. The OARCA technology, in addition to space sensor testing applications, could have valuable utility in laboratory and field testing illumination applications, including solar cell testing, solar chromatography, active surveillance, remote sensing, complex illumination, and infrared counter-measure stimulation.