Membrane photon sieve telescopes

Abstract

We are investigating new technologies for creating ultra-large apertures (>20m) for space-based imagery. Our approach has been to create diffractive primaries in flat membranes to be deployed from compact payloads. This research has led us to the development of photon sieves in which millions of holes of a well-determined size are positioned over an otherwise opaque background. High resolution focusing is obtained for transmitted light. We have analyzed the theoretical performance of several types of photon sieves to improve both efficiency and bandwidth. We have also created several prototype devices in both rigid and flexible substrates.