Systems and methods for collector mirror temperature control using direct contact heat transfer

1. A device, comprising:

an optic disposed in a near vacuum environment, said optic formed with a surface portion;

a temperature controlled member formed with a surface portion conforming to said optic surface portion; and

a liquid interposed between said optic surface portion and said member surface portion to conduct heat therebetween.

2. A device as recited in claim 1 wherein at least one of said member surface portion and said optic surface portion is formed with a solid texture to promote spontaneous invasion of the liquid by interfacial surface tension.

3. A device as recited in claim 1 wherein said liquid is a metal comprises an element selected from the group of elements consisting of mercury, gallium, tin and indium.

4. A device as recited in claim 1 further comprising a structure formed with a plurality of through-holes, the structure interposed between said member surface portion and said optic surface portion to retain said liquid between said surfaces by interfacial surface tension.

5. A device as recited in claim 4 wherein said structure comprises a mesh.

6. A device as recited in claim 1 wherein said optic is a mirror having a substrate and a surface portion covered with a multi-layer reflective coating.

7. A device as recited in claim 6 wherein said mirror substrate is made of a material selected from the group of materials consisting of silicon and silicon carbide.

8. A device as recited in claim 1 wherein said temperature controlled member comprises a conductive block formed with at least one passageway for flowing a heat exchange fluid therethrough.

9. A device as recited in claim 1 wherein said temperature controlled member comprises a conductive block coupled to at least one resistive heater.

10. A device, comprising:

an optic,

a temperature controlled member; and

a non-sealing means for maintaining a liquid metal between said optic and said member to conduct heat therebetween.

11. A device as recited in claim 10 wherein said optic is located in an environment maintained at below atmospheric pressure.

12. A device as recited in claim 10 wherein said non-sealing means comprises a surface texture formed on at least one of said temperature controlled member and said optic.

13. A device as recited in claim 10 wherein said non-sealing means comprises a structure formed with a plurality of through-holes, the structure interposed between said member and said optic.

14. A device as recited in claim 10 wherein said optic comprises a substrate made of a material comprising silicon.

15. A device as recited in claim 10 wherein said temperature controlled member comprises a conductive block formed with at least one passageway for flowing a heat exchange fluid.

16. A device as recited in claim 10 wherein said temperature controlled member comprises a conductive block coupled to at least one resistive heater.

17. A method comprising the steps of:

disposing an optic in a near vacuum environment, said optic formed with a surface portion;

providing a temperature controlled member formed with a surface portion conforming to said optic surface portion; and

interposing a liquid material between said optic surface portion and said member surface portion to conduct heat therebetween.

18. A method as recited in claim 17 wherein said interposing step comprises the sub-steps of:

solidifying the material on at least one of said member surface portion and said optic surface portion;

juxtaposing said member surface portion with said optic surface portion; and

heating said material to liquefy said material.

19. A method as recited in claim 17 wherein at least one of said member surface portion and said optic surface portion is formed with a solid texture to promote spontaneous invasion of the liquid by interfacial surface tension.

20. A method as recited in claim 17 further comprising the steps of:

providing a structure formed with a plurality of through-holes; and

positioning the structure between said member surface portion and said optic surface portion to retain said liquid between said surfaces by interfacial surface tension.