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Updated: May 31, 2026
11:34
Subsurface Defect Localization by Structured Heating Using Laser Projected Photothermal Thermography
Published on: May 15, 2017
Method for studying the effects of thermal deformations on optical systems for space application
Elisa Segato1, Vania Da Deppo, Stefano Debei
1Centre of Studies and Activities for Space-G. Colombo, University of Padova, via Venezia 15, 35131 Padova, Italy. elisa.segato@unipd.it
Applied Optics
|June 22, 2011
Summary
Kinematic constraints are superior to glue for mounting optics in space missions. This analysis of the BepiColombo mission
Area of Science:
- Spacecraft instrument design
- Optical engineering
- Thermo-elastic analysis
Background:
- Space missions experience extreme temperature variations.
- Temperature fluctuations cause optical element misalignment and deformation.
- This impacts imaging system performance over time.
Purpose of the Study:
- Analyze thermo-elastic effects on the BepiColombo Integrated Observatory System.
- Evaluate performance changes due to temperature variations.
- Compare mounting solutions for optical elements.
Main Methods:
- Thermo-mechanical finite element modeling (FEM) for optics and mountings.
- MATLAB optimization routine with nonlinear least square fitting for surface reconstruction.
- ZEMAX sequential ray-tracing for optical performance analysis.
Main Results:
- FEM accurately reproduced thermo-elastic deformations within -20 °C to 30 °C.
- Kinematic constraints demonstrated better performance than glue mounting.
- Optical performance metrics like spot diagrams and MTF were evaluated.
Conclusions:
- Kinematic constraints are the preferred mounting solution for space optics.
- This approach mitigates performance degradation from thermal variations.
- Ensures long-term optical stability for missions like BepiColombo.
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