Firebird Optics Awarded NASA Contract to Supply MgF2 Custom Optics for Aerospace Research
/Firebird Optics is honored to announce its selection as the supplier of custom Magnesium Fluoride (MgF2) windows for NASA’s Electric Arc Shock Tube (EAST) facility at Ames Research Center under NASA Award # 80NSSC24PA089. This partnership highlights Firebird Optics’ expertise in providing advanced optical solutions tailored to the demanding requirements of aerospace and defense applications. As a pivotal step forward, this award showcases Firebird Optics' ability to meet the stringent quality and performance standards expected in cutting-edge aerospace research.
NASA’s EAST Facility: A Hub for Advanced Aerospace Research
The Electric Arc Shock Tube (EAST) facility at NASA Ames is a cutting-edge research platform for studying high-temperature gas dynamics. This unique facility serves as a critical resource for conducting experiments that replicate the extreme conditions experienced during spacecraft reentry and high-speed atmospheric flight. Among its primary functions is performing spectroscopic measurements in the Vacuum Ultraviolet (VUV) spectrum, a vital tool for understanding aerothermodynamics, thermal protection systems, and material responses under extreme conditions.
EAST employs shock waves with temperatures reaching thousands of degrees and pressures of several atmospheres, all within timeframes as short as a millisecond. This highly specialized setup demands optical components capable of withstanding rapid thermal and mechanical stresses while delivering superior optical clarity. MgF2 windows have proven to be the optimal solution for these requirements due to their excellent VUV transparency and resistance to mechanical cracking, ensuring consistent and reliable performance.
Additional Insights on EAST
The EAST facility is NASA’s only operational shock tube capable of reproducing conditions representative of planetary atmospheric entries, including Earth, Mars, and Venus. Equipped with advanced spectroscopic instrumentation, the facility maps spectral radiance across a broad wavelength range—from the Vacuum Ultraviolet to the Mid-Wave Infrared (120-5500 nm). This capability supports critical missions, such as evaluating thermal protection systems and validating atmospheric entry models. Recent progress at EAST has included tests simulating CO2/N2 atmospheric compositions for Mars and Venus entries, showcasing its versatility in studying various planetary environments.
Firebird Optics: Leaders in Custom Aerospace Optics
Firebird Optics specializes in delivering high-precision optical components tailored to the stringent demands of aerospace and defense industries. With extensive experience in material science and precision manufacturing, Firebird Optics is uniquely positioned to address the complex needs of projects like NASA’s EAST facility. The MgF2 windows supplied for this project meet the following exacting standards:
High Transparency: Ensuring minimum transmittance of 80% at 150-175nm and 90% at 180-8000 nm, enabling accurate data collection across a broad spectral range.
Structural Precision: Manufactured with tight machining tolerances of ±0.005 inches and polished surfaces meeting a 60-40 scratch-dig specification, ensuring optimal performance and durability.
Material Excellence: Fabricated from vacuum-ultraviolet-grade MgF2, free of color centers or defects, providing consistent clarity and reliability.
Optical Axis Alignment: Designed to minimize birefringence and transmission polarization by aligning surfaces perpendicular to the c-axis, ensuring superior optical performance even under extreme stress.
Firebird Optics’ commitment to precision engineering and rigorous quality control ensures that each component meets and exceeds the stringent demands of advanced aerospace applications.
Enhancing Spectroscopic Capabilities with MgF2 Windows
Spectroscopy in the VUV range is essential for analyzing chemical reactions, material properties, and energy transitions in aerospace research. The MgF2 windows supplied by Firebird Optics play a crucial role in facilitating this work. Their key advantages include:
Broad Transmission Range: Covering wavelengths from 120 nm to 8000 nm, these windows enable comprehensive spectroscopic analysis across both VUV and IR regions. This broad range supports a diverse array of research objectives, from examining material ablation to studying gas-phase reactions.
Thermal and Mechanical Stability: MgF2 windows exhibit exceptional resilience to rapid thermal and pressure changes, critical for experiments involving shock waves and high-energy environments.
Exceptional Durability: Their high resistance to mechanical cracking ensures reliable performance over repeated experimental cycles, reducing downtime and costs associated with component replacements.
The inclusion of these high-performance windows enables researchers at NASA to push the boundaries of aerospace science, fostering innovations in spacecraft design and atmospheric research.
Supporting NASA’s Mission with Advanced Materials
The addition of Firebird Optics’ precision-engineered MgF2 windows underscores the vital role of advanced materials in enabling NASA’s research objectives. These components will facilitate groundbreaking advancements in spacecraft design, thermal protection systems, and atmospheric reentry modeling. By ensuring reliable optical performance in extreme environments, Firebird Optics contributes directly to the success of NASA’s mission to explore and innovate.
The collaboration between Firebird Optics and NASA represents a fusion of technical expertise and scientific ambition, with the MgF2 windows serving as a cornerstone for ongoing aerospace research. These optical solutions not only meet current requirements but also set a benchmark for future applications in high-energy environments.
Firebird Optics: Partnering in Aerospace Innovation
Securing this NASA contract further establishes Firebird Optics as a premier provider of custom optics for aerospace. This partnership demonstrates the company’s dedication to delivering precision-engineered solutions that meet the highest standards of quality and performance. By continuously investing in research, development, and cutting-edge manufacturing techniques, Firebird Optics ensures its position as a trusted partner for agencies like NASA.
To learn more about Firebird Optics’ capabilities or to explore custom optical solutions, visit www.firebirdoptics.com.
