Abstract
Membrane diffractive optical elements formed by fabricating microstructures on the substrates have two important characteristics, ultra-light mass (surface mass density < 0.1 kg/m2) and loose surface shape tolerances (surface accuracy requirements are on the order of magnitude of centimeter). Large-aperture telescopes using a membrane diffractive optical element as the primary lens have super large aperture, light weight, and low cost at launch. In this paper, the research and development on space-based diffractive telescopes are classified and summarized. First, the imaging theory and the configuration of diffractive-optics telescopes are discussed. Then, the developments in diffractive telescopes are introduced. Finally, the development prospects for this technology used as a high-resolution space reconnaissance system in the future are summarized, and the critical and relevant work that China should carry out is put forward.
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Hua LIU and Zhen-wu LU guided the research. Wei ZHAO and Xin WANG collected the literature. Wei ZHAO analyzed and summarized the literature. Zi-feng LU drafted the manuscript. Wei ZHAO and Xin WANG helped organize the manuscript. Hua LIU revised and finalized the paper.
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Wei ZHAO, Xin WANG, Hua LIU, Zi-feng LU, and Zhen-wu LU declare that they have no conflict of interest.
Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 11874091)
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Zhao, W., Wang, X., Liu, H. et al. Development of space-based diffractive telescopes. Front Inform Technol Electron Eng 21, 884–902 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1631/FITEE.1900529
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1631/FITEE.1900529