Method and system for vacuum vapor deposition of functional thin film coatings onto an elongate substrate in space
A method and system for vacuum vapor deposition of a deposition material to form, a functional thin film coating, upon an elongate substrate, such as an optical fiber or structural member, in space may utilize: a depositor for the deposition material, disposed within a shroud enclosing the substrate as it exits from a space platform.
1 . A method for vacuum vapor deposition of a deposition material in a space environment to form a coating upon an elongate substrate, comprising:
providing a shroud having an inner surface, an outer surface, and first and second ends;
providing at least one depositor for the deposition material and disposing the at least one depositor within the shroud;
disposing the first end of the shroud adjacent a portion of a space platform, and disposing the shroud in communication with a vacuum of the space environment;
providing an energy source associated with the at least one depositor operable to excite the deposition material to form a vapor of the deposition material; and
forming the elongate substrate in connection with the space platform and passing the elongate substrate through the shroud while the at least one depositor forms a vapor of the deposition material to coat the elongate substrate with the deposition material.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the elongate substrate is a structural member.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the elongate substrate is an optical fiber.
4 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the optical fiber is a ZBLAN fiber.
5 . The method of claim 1 , including utilizing a resistive heat source as the energy source.
6 . The method of claim 1 , including utilizing a laser as the energy source.
7 . The method of claim 1 , including utilizing an electron beam as the energy source.
8 . The method of claim 1 , including utilizing an ion beam as the energy source.
9 . The method of claim 1 including providing the outer surface of the shroud with a thermal radiator which removes heat generated within the shroud by the at least one depositor and the energy source, and radiates the heat to the vacuum of the space environment.
10 . The method of claim 1 , including utilizing a spacecraft bus as the space platform.
11 . The method of claim 1 , including utilizing a space station as the space platform.
12 . The method of claim 1 , including utilizing a rover vehicle as the space platform.
13 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the second end of the shroud is open.
14 . The method of claim 1 , including utilizing a satellite bus as the space platform.
15 . A method for vacuum vapor deposition of a deposition material in a space environment to form a coating upon an elongate substrate, comprising:
providing a shroud having an inner surface, an outer surface, and first and second ends;
providing at least one depositor for the deposition material and disposing the at least one depositor beneath the shroud;
disposing the first end of the shroud adjacent a portion of a space platform, and disposing the shroud in communication with a vacuum of the space environment;
providing an energy source associated with the at least one depositor operable to excite the deposition material to form a vapor of the deposition material; and
forming the elongate substrate in connection with the space platform and passing the elongate substrate through the shroud with the inner surface of the shroud partially overlying a portion of the elongate substrate while the at least one depositor forms a vapor of the deposition material to coat the elongate substrate with the deposition material.
16 . The method of claim 15 including providing the outer surface of the shroud with a thermal radiator which removes heat generated beneath the shroud by the at least one depositor and the energy source, and radiates the heat to the vacuum of the space environment.