The new generation of large telescopes will require large diffraction gratings in their spectrographs. These gratings will need to be significantly larger than those currently available. The limiting factor in ruling large gratings is the lifetime of the ruling diamond, which depends on the coating deposited on the blank for the ruling. This award will support a program of research by a very well respected company, that is experienced in ruling gratings for astronomical use, into new coatings for the next generation of diffraction gratings.
