Development of a cryogenic all-silicon telescope (CAIT)

Douglas R. McCarter; Eloise McCarter; Roger Paquin

doi:10.1117/12.927863

13 September 2012 Development of a cryogenic all-silicon telescope (CAIT)

Douglas R. McCarter, Eloise McCarter, Roger Paquin

Proceedings Volume 8450, Modern Technologies in Space- and Ground-based Telescopes and Instrumentation II; 845026 (2012) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.927863
Event: SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation, 2012, Amsterdam, Netherlands

Abstract

Mankind loves space and is drawn to explore its vastness. Existing space telescopes routinely encounter data losses and delayed data collections during the constantly changing temperature and load disruptions of space missions. The harsh environment of space thermal cycles and spacecraft motion loads create unwanted activity such as spacecraft slew, acquisition slew, and temperature induced blur. In order to compensate for the low performance of the materials currently used for telescope optics, engineers and designers are using costly on-board coolers, mechanical actuators, and deformed mirrors, for example, with limited success. However, Zero-defect Single Crystal Silicon (SCSi) can perform in space environments without coolers, actuators, and other such devices because SCSi is not ductile and is homogeneous and therefore is not subject to creep, and will not jitter, or blur during operations. To take advantage of the unique advantages of Zero-defect SCSi, we are developing and fabricating a Cryostable All-Silicon Imaging Telescope (CAIT). In this paper, we will discuss the basis for selecting SCSi for our space telescope design, the status of the CAIT design and fabrication progress, and compare SCSi thermal and strength properties with other typical space optical materials.

Citation Download Citation

Douglas R. McCarter, Eloise McCarter, and Roger Paquin "Development of a cryogenic all-silicon telescope (CAIT)", Proc. SPIE 8450, Modern Technologies in Space- and Ground-based Telescopes and Instrumentation II, 845026 (13 September 2012); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.927863

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available