Optical Components
Diffractive Optics
Overview
We are involved in a number of projects that make use of our high-resolution diffractive optics capabilities.
Highlights (2008-2009)
Coronagraph occulting masks and shaped pupils. We have fabricated a number of binary half-tone and shaped-metal occulting masks for Terrestrial Planet Finder and James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) NIRCam coronagraphs. MDL has been selected to fabricate the flight occulting masks for the JWST NIRCam coronagraph.
Fluid flow sensor optics. In collaboration with Measurement Science Enterprise, we are designing and fabricating diffractive optical elements (DOEs) that enable noninvasive fluid flow sensors. The DOEs produce structured light patterns in the fluid, and particles scatter light to a detector, allowing determination of flow parameters.
Vortex phase masks. We fabricated an analog-relief vortex phase mask for Prof. Grover Schwartzlander (University of Arizona), and he and his students used it to demonstrate an astronomical optical vortex coronagraph by suppressing the light of the primary star in the resolvable binary system Cor Caroli.
Current Projects
Next Generation Imaging Spectrometer (NGIS)
MDL Contributes to the Next Generation of Solar-Illuminated Earth Science Missions.
Low-Polarization Sensitivity Gratings
Imaging Spectrometer Designed to Study Coastal Ecosystems and Their Communities in Field Testing Stage.
Ultra-Compact Imaging Spectrometer (UCIS)
MDL device will enable high-resolution imaging spectroscopy from a rover platform.
Collaboration to Develop HyTES
Two MDL teams are working with JPL’s Earth Surface Science Group to develop a premier airborne earth observing thermal imaging spectrometer.
Flight Occulters
MDL has completed five flight occulting masks for the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) Near Infrared Camera (NIRCam) coronagraph.
Diffraction Gratings
MDL is achieving new performance levels and extended wavelength ranges.
Computed-Tomography Imaging Spectrometer
CTIS enables snapshot imaging spectrometry of transient phenomena.
Diffractive Optics
A number of projects are making use of MDL’s high-resolution diffractive optics capabilities.