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Optical Properties of ZBLAN Microspheres Produced in Microgravity |
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Written by Dirk Englund
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Friday, 09 March 2007 |
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This project investigated the optical properties of ZBLAN, a type of low-loss glass, produced in microgravity. This project is possible through a NASA program that has allowed us to perform our experiment aboard the KC-135, a research plane that provides multiple half-minute phases of micro-gravity. During these periods of weightlessness, we produced microspheres of ZBLAN, a new type of glass whose transmission properties are significantly better than standard optical fiber glass (silica). e of typical silica-based fibers. Here's a happy picture before I got sick.
Here's a write-up of the first trial in the summer of 2001: 2002 Final Report. We learned a lot from the first experiment, as reflected in the proposal for flights in the summer of 2002: 2002 Proposal. There's more at the group's home page. Thanks to Dr. Lute Maleki and Vladimir Ilchenko at JPL, to Dr. Frautschi, Dr. Tombrello, and Dr. Mabuchi at Caltech, and to the RGSFOP organizers at NASA's JSC, for all their support!
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 26 July 2007 )
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