Optical mode cleaner with suspended mirrors

We report on the development of a new type of mode cleaner that reduces any geometric noise of the laser beam in an interferometric gravitational-wave detector. The mode cleaner is a Fabry-Perot cavity that comprises independently suspended mirrors and works as a frequency-stabilization reference as well as a mode selector; the length of the cavity is 1 m. Stand-alone tests have shown at least a 30-dB reduction in the geometric fluctuation of the beam and a 60-dB reduction of the frequency noise of the laser. We have also succeeded in operating a 20-m Fabry-Perot prototype detector (at the National Astronomical Observatory, Tokyo, Japan) by using this mode cleaner.     

Optical monitoring of silver-based transparent heat mirrors

Both three-layer (TiO(2)-Ag-TiO(2)) and five-layer (TiO(2)-Ag-TiO(2)-Ag-TiO(2)) heat mirrors with optimum transmission in the visible and good reflectance in the IR have been designed by admittance diagram techniques. The mirrors were fabricated successfully by optical monitoring. An interesting anomalous layer was found and explained, and its equivalent refractive index and thickness are 2.015 - i0.016 and 2.56 nm, respectively.     

Parabolic liquid mirrors in optical shop testing

A parabolic liquid mirror obtained by the rotation of a mercury bath around a vertical axis has been built and its optical surface characteristics measured to demonstrate that it can be used in optical shop testing as a reference surface. A linear Hartmann test allowed us to check that the focal length is well related to the rotation velocity, following the theory, and that no spherical aberration is present, as assumed by previous authors. The spherical aberration has been found to be smaller than λ/50 at 633 nm. An interferometric test of the mirror compared with a null lens gave information about the quality of the optical surface for which the rms wave-front error, when the random errors are averaged, is ~λ/25. Because modifying the mirror diameter is cheap and fast and adjusting its focal length within a large range is straightforward, the parabolic liquid mirror can become a highly adaptable tool in optical metrology. In particular, it can be used in optical shop testing as a reference surface to test null correctors, to check any system developed to control the shape of large parabolic or quasiparabolic top-quality solid-state mirrors, or to make holographic references of such surfaces.     

Nanoengineered liquid mirrors shaped by thermal fields

We discuss a new type of deformable mirror made from nanoengineered reflective layers deposited onto liquids. The surfaces are shaped by heating with a laser. The response times of the deformed surfaces are slow (> 1 s). Simplicity and low cost appear to be the main advantages of thermally deformable liquid mirrors.     

Optical tests of a 3.7-m-diameter liquid mirror: behavior under external perturbations

We built and tested a 3.7-m-diameter liquid mirror that rotates on a ball bearing. Although the ball bearing is of a poor quality, the mirror is surprisingly good for one that comprises 1-mm-thick mercury layers. We found no evidence of the strong astigmatism that might have been expected from Coriolis forces. We did not detect effects of turbulence might or vibrations for thin mercury layers, illustrating the necessity of using thin layers: Large liquid mirrors would have had unacceptable optical qualities for layers much thicker than 2 mm.     

Optical switching properties of Pd--Ni thin-film top-capped switchable mirrors

Switchable mirrors based on magnesium--nickel alloy thin films capped with catalytic Pd--Ni alloy thin films were prepared by a DC magnetron sputtering method. Their composition, structure and surface morphology were studied by XPS, XRD and AFM. Herein, the optical switching properties and durability of the switchable mirrors were investigated by varying the Ni content in the Pd--Ni alloys. Comparing pure Pd catalyst with Pd--Ni top-capped switchable mirrors, the latter show better hydrogenation and dehydrogenation kinetics, and the speed of hydrogen desorption is obviously improved with increasing Ni content in the Pd--Ni alloy. The Pd--Ni capped switchable mirrors also have better optical switching durability. The catalytic Pd layer with the addition of Ni does not influence the transmittance (hydride state) and reflectance (metallic state) of the switchable mirrors. In addition, replacing Pd with Pd--Ni alloy decreases the cost of the switchable mirrors: employing nickel in the alloy Pd_89.2Ni_10.8 can save about 11% use of Pd. Therefore, the Pd--Ni alloy can provide a cheaper catalytic thin film, and it is expected to have applications in energy-saving windows, hydrogen sensors and hydrogen storage materials.     

Hydrodynamics of rotating liquid mirrors. I. Synchronous disturbances

The effects of axis alignment errors, planetary rotation, and tidal forces on rotating liquid mirrors are analyzed. These produce a surface distortion that decreases exponentially with distance inward from the rim with a characteristic length l= square root of 3hf/2, where h is the thickness of the fluid and f is the focal length. Even a small tilt of the rotation axis can produce a significant deformation of the optical surface. The maximum surface height error is 3epsilonl, where epsilon is the tilt angle and is typically of the order of 1.5 microm for a 1 arc sec tilt. The main optical effect of the wave is to produce a ring, with angular diameter 6epsilon, offset by half of the diameter in the direction opposite the tilt. This diamond ring aberration can be avoided by accurate alignment of the rotation axis or by masking the outer few centimeters of the mirror. Planetary rotation produces a small deformation of the order of 100 nm for a 10 m telescope at low latitude on Earth. This deformation can be canceled by a small tilt of the rotation axis. Tidal forces produced by the Moon, or by the Earth in the case of a lunar telescope, produce an inconsequential, subnanometer, surface deformation.     

Optical tests of a 2.5-m-diameter liquid mirror: behavior under external perturbations and scattered-light measurements

Interferometric tests of an f/1.2, 2.5-m-diameter liquid mirror show rms surface deviations of ~lambda/20 and Strehl ratios of the order of 0.6, which show that it is diffraction limited. The mirror is certainly better than what is implied by the data because of aberrations introduced by the auxiliary testing optics. We made detailed studies of the scattered light of the mirror. We studied the behavior of the mirror under external perturbations. We reached an important milestone because we now have a good understanding of liquid mirrors.     

大尺寸拼接式碳化硅反射镜的研制及环境模拟试验

随着空间技术的快速发展,对大尺寸空间反射镜部件的需求愈发强烈。本文从材料和制备技术角度分析了大尺寸碳化硅反射镜的发展趋势,并以Φ1.0 m口径常压烧结碳化硅拼接式技术验证镜研制过程为例,对拼接式反射镜的分块镜设计制备、连接、光学加工等过程进行了探讨。此外,结合实际的工程化应用需求,对1.0 m口径碳化硅拼接式技术验证镜进行了包括热真空、振动和抗辐照等在内的环境模拟试验。试验结果表明：通过合理的制备技术,Φ1.0 m口径的碳化硅拼接式技术验证镜光学加工后面形RMS达到了0.038λ (λ=632.8 nm),经历热真空和振动的环境模拟考核后,其面形RMS分别为0.037λ和0.036λ;此外,拼接式反射镜经过⁶⁰Co γ射线辐照测试后,反射率指标基本保持不变,显示了良好的工程应用前景。

     

Optical analysis of spherical mirrors of telescopes: The lens-less Schmidt case

The light distribution on the focal surface of spheric mirrors designed for telescopes in the lens-less Schmidt configuration is calculated analytically using geometrical optics.This analysis was motivated by considerations of the design of the AUGER fluorescence detector [J. Abraham, et al., Nucl. Instr. and Meth. A 533 (2004) 50]. Its geometrical parameters are used in the examples.     

Optical zoom module based on two deformable mirrors for mobile device applications

In recent years, optical zoom functionality in mobile devices has been studied. Traditional zoom systems use motors to change separation of lenses to achieve the zoom function, but these systems result in long total length and high power consumption, which are not suitable for mobile devices. Adopting micromachined polymer deformable mirrors in zoom systems has the potential to reduce thickness and chromatic aberration. In this paper, we propose a 2× continuous optical zoom system with five-megapixel image sensors by using two deformable mirrors. In our design, the thickness of the zoom system is about 11 mm. The effective focal length ranges from 4.7 mm at a field angle of 52° to 9.4 mm. The f-number is 4.4 and 6.4 at the wide-angle and telephoto end, respectively.     

Optical alignment of segmented mirrors to the fluorescence detectors of the Pierre Auger observatory

Segmented mirrors will be used in the telescopes of the Pierre Auger Fluorescence detector. To align the segments, we have developed four methods in which (a) the image of the stop border, (b) the image of a screen with concentric circles, and (c) the Ronchi pattern are used. In addition to these, we have developed a new method, (d), in which instead of the Ronchi ruling, we have used a circular grid. In this case we obtain a moiré pattern for each segment by means of which the experimental setup is simplified, and the sensitivity of the alignment is improved.     

Calorimeter tests with liquid ionization chambers

Configurations of sampling calorimeters with iron, lead and uranium as absorbers have been investigated using liquid ionization chambers as active elements. As liquid tetramethylsilane has been used. Results of beam tests with electrons, pions and muons in the energy range of 2 to 6 GeV are presented and compared with Monte Carlo simulations. In particular the questions regarding which configuration can compensate and the separation of sampling from intrinsic fluctuations have been studied.     

Screen channel liquid acquisition device outflow tests in liquid hydrogen

This paper presents experimental design and test results of the recently concluded 1-g inverted vertical outflow testing of two 325 × 2300 full scale liquid acquisition device (LAD) channels in liquid hydrogen (LH₂). One of the channels had a perforated plate and internal cooling from a thermodynamic vent system (TVS) to enhance performance. The LADs were mounted in a tank to simulate 1-g outflow over a wide range of LH₂ temperatures (20.3–24.2 K), pressures (100–350 kPa), and flow rates (0.010–0.055 kg/s). Results indicate that the breakdown point is dominated by liquid temperature, with a second order dependence on mass flow rate through the LAD. The best performance is always achieved in the coldest liquid states for both channels, consistent with bubble point theory. Higher flow rates cause the standard channel to break down relatively earlier than the TVS cooled channel. Both the internal TVS heat exchanger and subcooling the liquid in the propellant tank are shown to significantly improve LAD performance.     

Optical multi-stability of bimesogenic cholesteric liquid crystal

In this paper, we present a multi-stable property in a bimesogenic cholesteric liquid crystal material with a proper chiral additive and check its potential as an energy saving transmissive type liquid crystal display (LCD) through its electro-optic characteristics. Experimental results show that the multi-stable characteristics in the fabricated cholesteric LC cell are very stable. Such multi-stable properties depend on the driving frequency, voltage, and field direction. The contrast ratio in the fabricated transmissive type cholesteric LC cell was 15:1, which is a result produced by voltage and frequency control.