From ground to space: How to increase the confidence level in your flight optics

Kurzfassung

To cover the preparatory test issues of upcoming ESA space laser missions, in joined effort amongst various laboratories, an adaptation of existing laser damage test benches has been performed. Conventional S-on-1 tests were extended with raster scanning procedures. Various aspects of characteristic damage curve issues are discussed. Sensitive surface analysis like time-of-flight SIMS is used to identify potential low density low damage threshold precursors. The inter-correlation of flight module testing and preceding single component testing is demonstrated. Finally, the successful execution of a flight module endurance test with more than 200 Mio. shots is detailed.