Light Weight Optics For High Power Directed Energy Applications

The objective of this proposal is to demonstrate the feasibility of producing light weight and thermally manageable integrated optical systems suitable for a variety of space and airborne high power directed energy applications. This project will focus on improving two of the most important parts of a high energy mirror design, the highly reflective mirror surface, and the light weight and stiff multifunctional substrate. Brimrose, in collaboration with Applied Research Laboratory of Penn State University, has successfully demonstrated the process for fabricating light weight thermally managed B4C and SiC based high energy laser mirrors substrates with field assisted sintering technique (FAST) in Phase I of this program. These ceramic substrates were polished to mirror quality finish and metallic reflectance enhancement coatings were deposited on the surfaces of these substrates to form integrated optical mirror systems. For Phase II of this program, B4C and SiC substrates with larger dimensions and complex shapes will be fabricated and polished. Metallic and dielectric reflectance enhancement coatings will be deposited. Evaluation of the properties and performance of these systems will include microstructural characterization, mechanical and thermal analyses, reflectance and laser damage threshold determinations. Approved for Public Release, 15-MDA-8303 (1 July 15)