Session
2023 poster session
Location
Weber State University
Start Date
5-8-2023 10:00 AM
Description
Starshades and other sensitive optical devices require dust mitigation techniques to protect their surfaces. We investigate coating these surfaces with a photodegradable polymer film that will vaporize when exposed to ultraviolet light. A series of experiments was conducted in which we studied this phenomenon in vacuum after applying a photo-depolymerizing coating. Poly (2-methyl, 1-pentene) sulfone is shown to degrade in vacuum when exposed to 172 nm UV light. Future studies will examine whether the coating can be used to remove dust contaminants from sensitive optical devices upon photoirradiation..
Photodegradation of Self-Immolating Polymers as a Potential Solution to Optical Scattering
Weber State University
Starshades and other sensitive optical devices require dust mitigation techniques to protect their surfaces. We investigate coating these surfaces with a photodegradable polymer film that will vaporize when exposed to ultraviolet light. A series of experiments was conducted in which we studied this phenomenon in vacuum after applying a photo-depolymerizing coating. Poly (2-methyl, 1-pentene) sulfone is shown to degrade in vacuum when exposed to 172 nm UV light. Future studies will examine whether the coating can be used to remove dust contaminants from sensitive optical devices upon photoirradiation..