System for the measurement of ultra-low stray light levels

US4102580A · kind A · utility

Inventors

• James C. Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Fletcher
• Charles L. Wyman · Huntsville, US
• Donald B. Griner · Huntsville, US
• William A. Hurd · Huntsville, US
• Glenn B. Shelton · Huntsville, US
• Gary H. Hunt · Huntsville, US
• Bill B. Fannin · Tucson, US
• Robert P. Brealt · Tucson, US
• Charles A. Hawkins · Arab, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 29, 1976
• Grant date: Jul 25, 1978
• Expiry date: Dec 29, 1996

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01J1/42
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

An apparatus for measuring the effectiveness of stray light suppression light shields and baffle arrangements used in optical space experiments. The light shield and baffle arrangement and a telescope model are contained in a vacuum chamber. A source of short, high-powered light energy illuminates portions of the light shield and baffle arrangement and reflects a portion of same to a photomultiplier tube by virtue of multipath scattering. The resulting signal is transferred to time-channel electronics timed by the firing of the high energy light source allowing time discrimination of the signal thereby enabling the light scattered and suppressed by the model to be distinguished from the walls and holders around the apparatus.