Abstract: A coherent aperture array system is used for steering an optical source beam. The system has spaced apart, steerable emitters each able to be mechanically aimed at a remote target location to steer portions of the source beam toward the target location. Each steerable emitter has a subaperture controllable independently of a remaining reflective surface of its associated steerable emitter, to receive and reflect a subportion of the source beam portion. The subportion forms a sense beam which is reflected toward a phase imaging system. A separate reference beam is created from the portion of the source beam travelling toward each steerable emitter. Each sense beam and each reference beam are thus associated uniquely with one of the steerable emitters. A phase imaging system uses the reference beams and the sense beams to determine phase differences between the portions of the source beam being transmitted from each steerable emitter.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a coherent aperture array system for steering an optical source beam. The system may have a plurality of spaced apart, steerable emitters each being able to be mechanically aimed at a remote target location to steer portions of the source beam toward the target location. Each steerable emitter has a subaperture controllable independently of a remaining reflective surface of its associated steerable emitter, to receive and reflect a subportion of the source beam portion. The subportion forms a sense beam which is reflected toward a phase imaging system. A separate reference beam is created from the portion of the source beam travelling toward each steerable emitter. Each sense beam and each reference beam are thus associated uniquely with one of the steerable emitters. A phase imaging system is responsive to each of the reference beams and the sense beams, and determines phase differences between the portions of the source beam being transmitted from each steerable emitter.

Abstract: A space based solar array has a substrate on which are placed a plurality of spaced apart solar cells. A transparent adhesive bonding layer is on the plurality of solar cells covering the solar cells and the substrate between said solar cells. In a preferred embodiment, the adhesive bonding layer is silicone. A transparent rigid buffer layer is on the transparent adhesive bonding layer. In a preferred embodiment, the transparent rigid buffer layer is made of polyimide and has properties suitable for the application of performance- or durability-enhancing thin-film coatings. A transparent thin-film stack including inorganic radiation protection layer is on the transparent rigid buffer layer. In a preferred embodiment, the transparent radiation protection layer is made of silica, alumina or thin glass. Performance enhancing layers can also be included into the thin film stack for anti-reflection and ESD control purposes.