Dr. David Allred, Brigham Young University

Title: Addressing Material Science issues on the way to NASA habitable worlds Observatory and Beyond

Abstract: If the technology is sufficiently matured, NASA's next Flagship mission is likely to be the Habitable Worlds Observatory. This Observatory for the late ‘30’s will also be capable of far UV Optical measurements. In conjunction with NASA scientists, BYU's Thin films for Space Optics Research Group has been addressing some of the material science issues important for extending observations into the far UV using characterization tools of the 21st Century including spectroscopic ellipsometry, Atomic Force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy.  We have also been doing studies on a potential alternative to the internal coronagraph currently contemplated for the Habex mission. I will discuss dust, lifetime studies, and the cleaning and storage of delicate optics and hygroscopic materials with polymers including First Contact polymer.  This presentation is aimed at advanced undergraduate students and beginning graduate students, while at the same time reviewing and teaching aspects of optics that may be of interest to all.