Thermally Functionalised Optical Surfaces

Molecular contaminations coming from a satellite's instrument or platform could compromise space optics. We focus on finding alternative ways to circumvent this issue by using thermally functionalised optical surfaces. Indeed, a heating system could produce a thermal degassing on the optical instruments that would impede molecular contaminations. This smart surface could be placed directly under the optical device and increase the efficiency as well as the heat transfer homogeneity while reducing the power consumption. Additive manufacturing, and more precisely the LIFT technique, could be used to assemble the system.