Robust, Thin Optical Films for Extreme Environments

About this technology

Overview

Through a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract with Goddard Space Flight Center, Luxel Corporation, of Friday Harbor, Washington, developed key materials that will help NASA researchers as they explore the unforgiving environment of space. With NASA's assistance, the company developed a novel manufacturing process for ultra-thin films that have application in enhancing X-ray and extreme ultra-violet (EUV) filter technology. The films incorporate composite polymer support mesh with polyimide or metallic ultra-thin films, which makes them stronger and more durable, while still maintaining their optical filtering integrity. The mesh was specially characterized for adhesion, mechanical and vibration strength, X-ray transmittance, and throughput gain. This is the fourth successful NASA SBIR contract that Luxel has completed in this area, with others including Applications of Thin Polyimide Films to X-ray Optics High Throughput Thin Foil Filters with Enhanced Durability for the Soft X-ray and EUV Regions and Polyimide X-ray Filters Optimized for Strength at Cryogenic Temperatures." While NASA will find use for these filtering films in a variety of optical and plasma research venues during future missions Luxel's customers have been finding uses for this new technology in government and commercial laboratories."