Advanced Optically Black Baffles

Abstract

Baffles in optical systems are internal surfaces that control or suppress stray radiation, typically using geometrically designed vanes and surface morphology. Baffles perform a major role in determining the signal-to-noise level of many optical systems. While a few commercially available baffle materials meet optical requirments, current industrial baffle materials do not meet survivability and endurability needs; i.e, thermal, mechanical, and chemical stability requirements. The major problem is the generation of particles from the baffle surfaces during transport and operation which degrade the image quality.