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Completed TRL 3 (started at 2, targeting 3)
Research will begin with selection and testing of candidate materials' thermal properties and optical properties (NASA Goddard's CHARMS facility). #In parallel, a Structural-Thermal-Optical-Performance (STOP) model of the interferometer will be made to determine the best structural-thermal-optical design. #Based on the STOP-optimized design and the sample material thermal and optical data, the component arms of the interferometer will be manufactured to nearly their final lengths, and then measured for Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (CTE) using ASTM-E289. #An engineering test unit will be built based on these results, and it will be tested in the Photonics lab for thermo-optical performance/stability and contrast ratio
Benefit to Science Mission Directorate. This technology would provide the opportunity for LaRC to lead the development of a spaceborne lidar, as was recently called for as a directed mission in the 2017 Decadal Survey for Earth Science and Applications from Space.
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