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Completed TRL 4 (started at 2, targeting 4)
Ultraviolet (UV) multi-object spectrographs (MOS) are used for the study of star formation and to provide spatially resolved feedback throughout star forming galaxies. Digital Micro-mirror Devices (DMDs) can be used as slit selection mechanism for ultraviolet MOS as the component represents a possible alternative to the currently baselined Micro Shutter Arrays for LUVOIR. DMDs are mass produced for commercial applications requiring visible light control, and for this reason, the optics are susceptible to deformation caused by coating stress and coating reflectance is significantly below ~40% at the 100 nm to 160 nm Lyman ultraviolet (LUV) spectral band. We propose to enhance DMD mirrors to optimize spectral reflectance of at the Lyman ultraviolet range of 100 nm to 160 nm while controlling the coating stress applied to the individual micro-mirrors.
Future NASA flagship missions such as the Large UV/Optical/IR Surveyor (LUVOIR) and smaller probe missions such as the Cosmic Evolution Through UV Spectroscopy (CETUS) have proposed the use of ultraviolet (UV) multi-object spectrographs (MOS) utilizing Digital Micro-mirror Devices (DMDs) as slit selection mechanism. The proposal aims to increase the TRL level of the DMD's for use in the UV. This proposal will also allow for the coating of extremely thin UV filters and optics as the filters will be less susceptible to surface deformations.
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