Preliminary space environment tests of nematic liquid crystals

Alan Graham; Greg A. Kopp; Carlos Vargas-Aburto; R. Uribe

doi:10.1117/12.254054

18 October 1996 Preliminary space environment tests of nematic liquid crystals

Alan Graham, Greg A. Kopp, Carlos Vargas-Aburto, R. Uribe

Proceedings Volume 2811, Photonics for Space Environments IV; (1996) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.254054
Event: SPIE's 1996 International Symposium on Optical Science, Engineering, and Instrumentation, 1996, Denver, CO, United States

Abstract

Nematic liquid crystals are used in a variety of applications including polarization interference filters, Fabry-Perot etalons, spatial light modulators, and polarimeters. Due to substantial interest in utilizing these devices in space, we have performed numerous tests to indicate the potential suitability of nematic liquid crystal components in a space environment. We report on liquid crystal survivability under extreme vacuum and temperature conditions, as well as their long term functionality after exposure to gamma, ultraviolet, and free electron radiation. The only damage occurred with UV exposure. No damage was observed due to a gamma radiation dose of 2.3 krad or from electron beam dose of 2 Mrad. We report on continued tests designed to determine damage thresholds of liquid crystals to radiation.

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Alan Graham, Greg A. Kopp, Carlos Vargas-Aburto, and R. Uribe "Preliminary space environment tests of nematic liquid crystals", Proc. SPIE 2811, Photonics for Space Environments IV, (18 October 1996); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.254054

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