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Media
Source:
AFRL Success Stories website |
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| About the Technology: |
 Under the SBIR contract, Schafer Corporation successfully manufactured high-performance silicon and silicon carbide foam-core lightweight mirrors up to 13 cm in diameter, and is working on manufacturing mirrors up to 56 cm in diameter. Since larger mirrors have a much broader range of applications, Schafer plans to scale SLMS mirrors from 0.5 to 1.5 meters during the next 2 years.
A second significant impact of SLMS technology is the athermal characteristic of these mirrors. The silicon surface of the mirror can be easily polished to a surface figure of 0.02 waves per RMS at 633 nm at room temperature and will hold that surface figure while operating at temperatures as low as 27°K. This means these lightweight mirrors are easier to manufacture for low-temperature applications and do not have to be actively cooled to prevent distortion, further reducing the weight of the aerospace system transporting the mirror. |
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| Applications: |
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Military and Commercial Significance: |
| SLMS mirrors are extremely lightweight, less than 10 kg per m2, and very stiff, with a first mode frequency much greater than 500 Hz. These characteristics will serve to lower the weight of high-energy laser systems because both the mirrors and the support structure will be lighter than current systems. Schaefer Corporation’s partnership with AFRL has enabled them to build and demonstrate mirrors tailored for Department of Defense applications. |
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The AFRL Space Vehicles Directorate awarded a Phase I and II Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract to Schafer Corporation, of Chelmsford, MA, to develop silicon lightweight mirrors (SLMSTM) technology for aerospace and industrial applications. This development will improve the performance of high-energy laser systems, while providing improved, lightweight, athermal mirrors for space and airborne optical systems. |
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| Industry Contact: |
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Government Contact: |
Schafer Corporation
321 Billerica Road
Chelmsford, MA 01824-4191
Telephone: (978) 256-2070
Country: USA
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Air Force Research Laboratory
Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 45433-7226
Telephone: (937) 255-0785
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