Advances in 3D printing technology allow for the manufacture of topologically complex parts not otherwise feasible through conventional manufacturing methods. Maturing metal and ceramic 3D printing technologies are becoming more adept at printing complex shapes, enabling topologically intricate mirror substrates. One application area that can benefit from additive manufacturing is reflective optics used in high energy laser (HEL) systems that require materials with a low coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), high specific stiffness, and (most importantly) high thermal conductivity to effectively dissipate heat from the optical surface. Currently, the limits of conventional manufacturing dictate the topology of HEL optics to be monolithic structures that rely on passive cooling mechanisms and high reflectivity coatings to withstand laser damage. 3D printing enables the manufacture of embedded cooling channels in metallic mirror substrates to allow for (1) active cooling and (2) tunable structures. This paper describes the engineering and analysis of an actively cooled composite optical structure to demonstrate the potential of 3D printing on the improvement of optomechanical systems.
Aqueous magnetorheological (MR) polishing fluids used in magnetorheological finishing (MRF) have a high solids
concentration consisting of magnetic carbonyl iron particles and nonmagnetic polishing abrasives. The properties of MR
polishing fluids are affected over time by corrosion of CI particles. Here we report on MRF spotting experiments
performed on optical glasses using a zirconia coated carbonyl iron (CI) particle-based MR fluid. The zirconia coated
magnetic CI particles were prepared via sol-gel synthesis in kg quantities. The coating layer was ~50-100 nm thick,
faceted in surface structure, and well adhered. Coated particles showed long term stability against aqueous corrosion.
"Free" nano-crystalline zirconia polishing abrasives were co-generated in the coating process, resulting in an abrasivecharged
powder for MRF. A viable MR fluid was prepared simply by adding water. Spot polishing tests were performed
on a variety of optical glasses over a period of 3 weeks with no signs of MR fluid degradation or corrosion. Stable
material removal rates and smooth surfaces inside spots were obtained.
Access to the requested content is limited to institutions that have purchased or subscribe to SPIE eBooks.
You are receiving this notice because your organization may not have SPIE eBooks access.*
*Shibboleth/Open Athens users─please
sign in
to access your institution's subscriptions.
To obtain this item, you may purchase the complete book in print or electronic format on
SPIE.org.
INSTITUTIONAL Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.
PERSONAL Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.