1. Optimizing the Throughput of an Optical System Lisa Phillips Textron Systems Mentor: Robert Nolan Advisor: Robert Lercari R&D Team: Tim Georges, Curtis Krupp Chris Matsuura, Donna Rohrer, Clint Smith Home Institution: Maui Community College

2. Outline The Air Force and Textron Systems The Air Force and Textron Systems The Laser Beam Director (LBD) Transmitting Telescope The Laser Beam Director (LBD) Transmitting Telescope The Beam Relay Optics System The Beam Relay Optics System The Focus of My Project The Focus of My Project Component Limitations Component Limitations Measuring Light Throughput Efficiency Measuring Light Throughput Efficiency Results and Analysis Results and Analysis

3. The Air Force and Textron The Air Force The Air Force Active imaging ladar systems Active imaging ladar systems Mission of tracking and identifying dim space objects Mission of tracking and identifying dim space objects Textron Systems Textron Systems Developed technology to support this mission Developed technology to support this mission

4. The Maui Space Surveillance Site AEOS 3.6m Laser Beam Laser Return LBD 0.6m

5. The Laser Beam Director (LBD) Transmitting Telescope Laser Laser LBD telescope LBD telescope Beam relay optics Beam relay optics Laser LBD Coude Path Beam Relay Optics

6. The Beam Relay Optics System Two JobsTwo Jobs Direct the laser beamDirect the laser beam Modify the laser beamModify the laser beam IncludesIncludes MirrorsMirrors Beam expandersBeam expanders Cube beam splitterCube beam splitter

7. The Focus of My Project Maximize the light throughput of the beam relay optics systemMaximize the light throughput of the beam relay optics system To increase the amount of light illuminating the object of interestTo increase the amount of light illuminating the object of interest

8. Light Throughput Loss Light loss occurs whenever light isLight loss occurs whenever light is AbsorbedAbsorbed ReflectedReflected TransmittedTransmitted Every component of the system contributes to light throughput lossEvery component of the system contributes to light throughput loss

9. Mirrors Use to change the direction of the laser beam Limitations of Real Mirrors Part is reflected (specular reflection) Part is absorbed Part is scattered (diffuse reflection) http://www.play-hookey.com

10. Beam Expander Use Increase the diameter Decrease the divergence Limitations Mirrors Structure http://www.arachnoid.com

11. Cube Beam Splitter Use Splits a beam into two beams Limitations Part is transmitted Part is reflected Part is absorbed http://rp-photonics.com

12. Measuring Light Throughput Efficiency Use a power meter To measure Power In and Power Out Light throughput efficiency (Power out/Power in)*100% High efficiency

13. Cube Beam Splitter Problem Estimated reflecting 30% Test Results Time (s)Power In (mW) Power Out (mW) 0127104 10128104 20128103 30128103 40128103 50128103 60128104 average128103

14. Analysis of the Cube Beam Splitter Light throughput efficiencyLight throughput efficiency (103mW/128mW)*100% = 80%(103mW/128mW)*100% = 80%

15. Pellicle Beam Splitter BenefitsBenefits Thin membraneThin membrane LimitationsLimitations Thin membraneThin membrane Test resultsTest results http://www.cvilaser.com Time (s)Power In (mW) Power Out (mW) 0127120 10128120 20128120 30128120 40128119 50128118 60128120 average128120

16. Analysis of the Pellicle Beam Splitter Light throughput efficiencyLight throughput efficiency (120mW/128mW)*100% = 94%(120mW/128mW)*100% = 94%

17. Pellicle vs. Cube Improvement of the light throughput efficiencyImprovement of the light throughput efficiency 94% - 80% = 14%94% - 80% = 14%

18. Conclusion Pellicle Optical System Analysis Beam Expanders Mirrors

19. Acknowledgments Textron Don Ruffatto Robert Nolan Robert Lercari Timothy Georges Curtis Krupp Chris Matsuura Donna Rohrer Clint Smith David Schultz Charles Thurber Lianne Combo Caroline Fuji Arlen Hall Kelly Kobayashi Captain Wright (USAF) Maui Community College Mark Hoffman Center for Adaptive Optics & Akamai Workforce Initiative Lisa Hunter Lani Lebron Nina Arnberg Mike Nassir Short Course Instructors Dave Harrington Mike Foley Mark Pitts The 2009 Maui Akamai Internship Program is funded by the University of Hawaii, the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, the National Science Foundation Center for Adaptive Optics (NSF #AST - 9876783)..