Enabling High Performance Instruments for Astronomy and Space Exploration with ALD

Abstract

Future UV, X-ray, and sub-millimeter telescopes and spectrometers have the potential to revolutionize our understanding of the formation and habitability of the modern universe.[1-4] Star formation, dark energy, and the composition of the intergalactic medium are only some of the key scientific topics that can be addressed by UV astronomy and astrophysics. Sub-millimeter astronomy can probe the fine structure of the cosmic microwave background, giving glimpses into the early universe immediately following the Big Bang.[5] Various surface engineering techniques including molecular beam epitaxy and atomic layer deposition have been utilized here to significantly boost the performance of key components of instruments for astronomy and astrophysics investigation, taking advantage of the atomic level precision that these techniques provide.