Redesign of Optical Flat:
Optical reference flat used for positioning the microcombs also serves as a structural member in the design.  This role causes unacceptable deformation in the flat.  We seek to redesign the structure for accurate microcomb/foil placement with structural integrity.
 

Figure 1.  Role of Flight Module shown with Assembly Truss to position foils	Figure 2 (above). Reference flat clearly seen as a structural member of the design

Reference combs:
First generation design used hand-positioning of combs. This lead to damage to the interface between the combs and reference flat.  The group proposes to (1) measure actuation force, (2) implement micro-actuators, (3) study damage to combs and how this problem can be alleviated.  This will result in a set of aligned reference combs with constant Hertzian stresses and the contact interface, repeatable placement, and mimimal/no damage to the combs or reference flat.

Last Modified: Sep. 13, 2001; by Craig R. Forest