Transmittance (top) and sheet resistivity (bottom)
of mixed ITO/MgF2 films as a function of the volume
percent of MgF2.
In tests at the NASA Lewis Research Center, mixed thin-films of sputter-deposited indium tin oxide (ITO) and magnesium fluoride (MgF2) that could be tailored to the desired sheet resistivity showed transmittance values of greater than 90 percent. The samples evaluated were composed of mixed, thin-film ITO/MgF2 coatings, with a nominal thickness of 650 angstroms, deposited onto glass substrates. Preliminary results indicated that these coatings were durable to vacuum ultraviolet radiation and atomic oxygen. These coatings show promise for use on solar array surfaces in polar low-Earth-orbit environments, where a sheet resistivity of less than 10^8 /square is required, and in geosynchronous orbit environments, where a resistivity of less than 10^9 /square is required. The figures show electrical and optical properties as a function of the estimated volume percent of MgF2 in the mixed ITO/MgF2 coating. Future plans include demonstration of the coating's durability to atomic oxygen and to vacuum ultraviolet radiation.
Transmittance (top) and sheet resistivity (bottom)
of mixed ITO/MgF2 films as a function of the volume
percent of MgF2.
Last updated April 16, 1996
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