Electrostatic application of black flocking for reducing grazing incidence reflections

David Vaughnn; Jay A. Tome

doi:10.1117/12.258332

11 November 1996 Electrostatic application of black flocking for reducing grazing incidence reflections

David Vaughnn, Jay A. Tome

Proceedings Volume 2864, Optical System Contamination V, and Stray Light and System Optimization; (1996) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.258332
Event: SPIE's 1996 International Symposium on Optical Science, Engineering, and Instrumentation, 1996, Denver, CO, United States

Abstract

Grazing incidence reflections as a source of stray light are a problem which continues to beleaguer optical systems and instrumentation. These reflections tend to be specular and are a primary cause of ghosting. Traditional means of blackening (absorption) fail miserably. Techniques of scattering the undesirable/problem light into a larger (and more benign) solid angle, while successful, are often impractical. Furthermore, while these techniques excel at reducing ghosting, they typically redirect significant light into the diffuse background, reducing the SNR. Black flocking combines the advantages of absorption and scattering. Historical disadvantages of flocking are its poor durability and the difficulty of applying flock to irregular surfaces. Presented here, is the technique of electrostatic application, which overcomes these shortfalls. BRDF (bi-directional reflectance distribution function) measurements of black flocking are presented and comparisons made with other blackening techniques. An example of this technique is shown where it is used to improve a low-light spectrographic instrument. Finally, proposed specifications for the application of (black) flocking are made for use in optics.

Citation Download Citation

David Vaughnn and Jay A. Tome "Electrostatic application of black flocking for reducing grazing incidence reflections", Proc. SPIE 2864, Optical System Contamination V, and Stray Light and System Optimization, (11 November 1996); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.258332

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