High-strength reaction-sintered SiC: a new candidate material for large spaceborne telescope systems

Yukari Y. Yui; Toshiyoshi Kimura; Yoshio Tange

doi:10.1117/12.564938

4 November 2004 High-strength reaction-sintered SiC: a new candidate material for large spaceborne telescope systems

Yukari Y. Yui, Toshiyoshi Kimura, Yoshio Tange

Proceedings Volume 5570, Sensors, Systems, and Next-Generation Satellites VIII; (2004) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.564938
Event: Remote Sensing, 2004, Maspalomas, Canary Islands, Spain

Abstract

The high-strength reaction-sintered silicon carbide (RS-SiC) developed and manufactured by Toshiba and NEC-Toshiba Space Systems, NT-SiC, is one of the most promising, excellent and feasible candidates for light-weighted large-diameter space-borne optics that are applied to geostationary earth observations and astronomical observations. Small NT-SiC sample mirrors were manufactured to study basic physical parameters and features, and optical performances of the material, such as the surface conditions of polished NT-SiC, the condition of inner crystal grains, the correlation between the surface roughness and polishing, scattering characteristics, absorbance of solar light and infrared emissivity, and adhesiveness of metal coating. The current state of the art of the development of the NT-SiC mirror and the feasibility of light-weighted large-diameter NT-SiC mirrors for space-borne optics are described. Although technical challenges to achieve the surface roughness that is applicable to ultraviolet mirrors still remain, the optical performance and the physical properties of the present NT-SiC show that it is one of the most excellent mirror material in optical-infrared wavelength region.

Citation Download Citation

Yukari Y. Yui, Toshiyoshi Kimura, and Yoshio Tange "High-strength reaction-sintered SiC: a new candidate material for large spaceborne telescope systems", Proc. SPIE 5570, Sensors, Systems, and Next-Generation Satellites VIII, (4 November 2004); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.564938

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