Lunch with the Speaker - Noon - 238 Grigg

H. Philip Stahl, Ph. D.
Senior Optical Physicist
NASA Marshall Space Flight Center
Huntsville, AL 35812

Biography

Dr. H. Philip Stahl is a Senior Optical Physicist at NASA MSFC and the Astrophysics Division Deputy Assistant Director for Technology and Chair Pro Tem of the Astrophysics Technology Team. Since joining NASA in 1999, he has been responsible for multiple technology development activities. He was responsible for developing candidate mirror technologies for the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) and is the JWST Optical Telescope Element Mirror Optics Lead. Dr. Stahl co-authored two NASA technology studies: Office of Chief Technologist Science Instruments, Observatories and Sensor Systems Technology Assessment (2011); and Advance Planning and Integration Office Advanced Telescope and Observatory Capability Roadmap (2005). Additionally, he is the originator of the annual “Mirror Technology Days in the Government” workshops.

Dr. Stahl is a leading authority in optical metrology, optical engineering, and phase-measuring interferometry. Many of the world's largest telescopes have been fabricated with the aid of high-speed and infrared phase-measuring Interferometers developed by him, including the Keck, VLT and Gemini telescopes. At Raytheon Danbury he was lead optical engineer for the 4 meter LAMP mirror and the Spitzer secondary mirror.

Dr. Stahl is a member of OSA, Fellow of SPIE, a past SPIE Director, past ICO Vice President and current SPIE Vice-President Elect. He earned his PhD in Optical Science at the University of Arizona Optical Sciences Center in 1985.

"50 Years of NASA Mirror Technology Development"

Abstract

For over 50 years, NASA has relied on advanced mirror technology development to enable space telescope missions: from Hubble to JWST.  Currently NASA is engaged in technology development to enable even larger and more sophisticated future telescopes.  This presentation reviews the needs for space telescopes which drives technology development; traces the history of mirror technology development from the 1957 to the present; and discusses potential future trends in mirror technology development.  Specific technology areas include:  evolution of mirror architectures, substrate material development, and improvements in optical fabrication and testing technology.