Project Title:

Radial Concentric Grating Ruling Engine

08.01-6882
Radial Concentric Grating Ruling Engine
Hyperfine Inc.
1930 Central Avenue
Boulder
CO
80301
Bach
Bernhard W.
NAS5-29415
Amount:   
GSFC
Phase I Contract Number:

Abstract:

   Future space astronomy missions propose new designs of in-plane and off-planegrating configurations.  The new grating designs have been theoretically calculated
and two types have recently been test ruled at Hyperfine.  A concentric grating of
600 1/mm, 50x50mm ruled area and nominal groove curvature radius of 400mm was ruled
for the Phase I effort for NASA.  A radial fan groove grating was ruled for the University
of Colorado.  Both ruling projects required extensive temporary modifications to
our existing ruling engines.  For this Phase II effort, we propose to construct a
new ruling engine capable of accommodating the new ruling requirements.  We will
add a circular motion to the grating carriage, allowing the various ruling commands
and its computing capability will calculate variable grating spacing positions. 
Variable spaced, concentric and radial fan gratings will offer new performance possibilities
to the science community.