Ultrafast laser micro-stressing for correction of thin fused silica optics for the Lynx X-Ray Telescope Mission

Heng E. Zuo, Brandon D. Chalifoux, Ralf K. Heilmann, Mark L. Schattenburg

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

13 Scopus citations

Abstract

Fused silica exhibits high nonlinear optical response when exposed to ultrashort laser pulses, and the rapid development of femtosecond laser technology since the 1990s has greatly advanced the processing of such transparent materials. Since then, ultrafast laser micromachining has been widely implemented to remove materials or change material properties, from surface ablation to waveguide fabrication. Recently, we devised a potential use of this technique for optics precision correction of future space telescopes, for example the Lynx X-ray telescope mission. This novel mirror figure correction process provides a rapid and precise way of creating local micro deformation within the interior of thin mirrors, which then induces macro structural changes in surface figure to meet the stringent angular resolution requirements for the X-ray telescope. The method is highly controllable and deterministic, and the long-term stability of the laser-induced material changes makes it promising for future space telescope missions. In this paper, we review the mechanisms and nonlinear optical phenomena of femtosecond laser interaction with fused silica. We also report on the current development of our laser pulses generation, focusing, imaging and an in-situ wavefront sensing systems, as well as our procedure for measuring and correcting mirror substrates. Preliminary experimental results of local deformation and stress changes in flat thin fused silica mirror substrates are shown, demonstrating the correctability of fused silica substrates within a capture range of 1 μm in surface peak-to-valley or 200 in RMS slope using local laser micromachining. We also showed the laser induced integrated stress increases linearly with the micromachining density.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationSpace Telescopes and Instrumentation 2018
Subtitle of host publicationUltraviolet to Gamma Ray
EditorsShouleh Nikzad, Jan-Willem A. Den Herder, Kazuhiro Nakazawa
PublisherSPIE
ISBN (Print)9781510619517
DOIs
StatePublished - 2018
Externally publishedYes
EventSpace Telescopes and Instrumentation 2018: Ultraviolet to Gamma Ray - Austin, United States
Duration: Jun 10 2018Jun 15 2018

Publication series

NameProceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
Volume10699
ISSN (Print)0277-786X
ISSN (Electronic)1996-756X

Other

OtherSpace Telescopes and Instrumentation 2018: Ultraviolet to Gamma Ray
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityAustin
Period6/10/186/15/18

Keywords

  • Lynx
  • X-ray telescope
  • figure correction
  • fused silica
  • micro-stressing
  • thin optics
  • ultrafast laser

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Computer Science Applications
  • Applied Mathematics
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Ultrafast laser micro-stressing for correction of thin fused silica optics for the Lynx X-Ray Telescope Mission'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this