Optical coating for thermofluidodynamic experiments cuvettes in microgravity conditions: the technology and performances

M. Tacconi; Germano Dionisio; M. Simoncini; P. G. Falciani

doi:10.1117/12.188126

30 September 1994 Optical coating for thermofluidodynamic experiments cuvettes in microgravity conditions: the technology and performances

M. Tacconi, Germano Dionisio, M. Simoncini, P. G. Falciani

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 2210, Space Optics 1994: Space Instrumentation and Spacecraft Optics; (1994) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.188126
Event: Space Optics '94, 1994, Garmisch, Germany

Abstract

The aim of the present paper is to present the results of a research, developed in Officine Galileo, on a special coating that is used on cuvettes for thermofluidodynamic experiments in Microgravity as on the BDPU (Bubbles Drops and Particles Unit), which will flight on the IML2 in June 1994, and on the Inex-Mam (Interactive Experiment on Marangoni Migration) module that has been launched with a Maser Sounding Rocket in November 1993. The very stringent optical and thermal requirements and the Microgravity environmental conditions led to the development of a multilayer coating on a quartz covette with a low reflectivity in the visible (< 1.5% at 633 nm and < 4.0% in the range 400-800 nm), a good reflectivity (> 80.0%) in the IR above 3.7 micrometers (this is the upper cut wavelength of Suprasil 300 Quartz, the cuvette materials), and an average transparency > 20.0% in the range of 0.8-3.7 micrometers . These performances allow to reach an extremely low IR emissivity (< 0.1 above 5.0 micrometers ) of the external cuvettes surfaces, but simultaneously allow a partial thermal images acquisition of the fluid surface within the cuvette (in the range 0.8-3.7 micrometers ) and the application of interferometric diagnostic systems in the visible range (PDI: Point Diffraction Interferometer at 633 nm). In the paper the achieved performances in the visible and thermal ranges are discussed with respect to the experiments cuvettes requirements, and a description of the used technology is given.

Citation Download Citation

M. Tacconi, Germano Dionisio, M. Simoncini, and P. G. Falciani "Optical coating for thermofluidodynamic experiments cuvettes in microgravity conditions: the technology and performances", Proc. SPIE 2210, Space Optics 1994: Space Instrumentation and Spacecraft Optics, (30 September 1994); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.188126

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

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.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available