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Novel Techniques for Observing Structural Dynamics of Photoresponsive Liquid Crystals
Published on: May 29, 2018
Liquid-crystal variable retarders for aerospace polarimetry applications
R L Heredero1, N Uribe-Patarroyo, T Belenguer
1Laboratorio de Instrumentación Espacial, Instituto Nacional de Técnica Aerospacial, Madrid, Spain.
Applied Optics
|February 7, 2007
Summary
Liquid-crystal variable retarders (LCVRs) for space imaging instruments were tested for aerospace conditions. The LCVRs demonstrated suitability for space platforms, showing minimal impact from vacuum, temperature, vibration, and radiation.
Area of Science:
- Optical physics
- Aerospace engineering
- Materials science
Background:
- Liquid-crystal variable retarders (LCVRs) are crucial optical components.
- The SUNRISE payload's Imaging Magnetograph eXperiment requires robust LCVRs.
- Aerospace environments pose unique challenges to optical instruments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the performance of LCVRs under simulated aerospace conditions.
- To assess the impact of vacuum, temperature, vibration, and radiation on LCVR optical properties.
- To determine the suitability of LCVRs for space-based solar observation.
Main Methods:
- Simulated aerospace testing including vacuum, thermal cycling, vibration, gamma, and UV radiation exposure.
- In situ and ex situ measurements of optical retardance, response time, wavefront distortion, and transmittance.
- Outgassing analysis of LCVR components.
Main Results:
- LCVRs exhibited stable optical retardance and transmittance under tested conditions.
- Response times and wavefront distortions remained within acceptable limits.
- Outgassing measurements indicated minimal volatile compound release.
Conclusions:
- The tested LCVRs are suitable for deployment in aerospace platforms.
- These optical devices are excellent candidates for the SUNRISE payload and similar space missions.
- LCVRs can reliably perform in harsh space environments.
