Multiphysics design and experimental verification of a quad-band dichroic mirror for deep space ground stations

This study presents the multi-disciplinary approach used to study a quad-band dichroic mirror to be installed in the European Space Agency deep space antennas. Traditional electromagnetic (EM) analyses based on a uniform plane wave incidence were augmented by advanced numerical techniques to investigate the impact of the dichroic mirror on the overall antenna performance. In addition, along with the EM design, a parallel study considering mechanical, thermal and power-handling aspects allowed their impact on the EM behaviour of the dichroic mirror to be evaluated. This comprehensive study permitted an optimum design to be achieved for the dichroic mirror, which accounts for the actual operational conditions of the mirror itself when installed in the antenna. The device was manufactured and measured, verifying also the mechanical and thermal theoretical predictions, obtaining an excellent agreement between simulations and experimental results.