NASA 1996 SBIR Phase I

PROJECT TITLE : High Actuator Density Deformable Mirrors

TECHNICAL ABSTRACT (LIMIT 200 WORDS)

This project will provide a new generation of high actuator count deformable mirrors for use in low amplitude, high spatial frequency correction of optical wavefronts. This will allow full utilization of the inherent performance of such instruments as large aperture, long baseline interferometers, by allowing correction of static and dynamic common path errors within the optical system.

The Phase I effort will provide analyses and design evaluation of several approaches to providing a deformable mirror containing up to 150 x 150 discrete actuator channels, located at 1 mm spacing, for use in fine spatial scale, moderate temporal bandwidth correction of the wavefront of a precision optical system. The expected result will be analytic and design demonstration of feasibility of one or more approaches to this compact "kiloactuator" deformable mirror based on a modular array of Xinetics' electrostrictive Lead Magnesium Niobate (PMN) actuators. The results of the Phase I program will be the analyses, design data and performance predictions, and design and fabrication plans for "pathfinder" demonstration modules to be developed and tested during Phase II, and for an engineering model deformable mirror, also expected to be fabricated during Phase II.

Fundus CameraAstronomical Adaptive-Optics Systems Optical Imaging Improvement for VLSI IC Fabrication

Dr. Thomas Price
Xinetics, Inc.
410 Great Road #A6
Littleton, MA 01460

Xinetics, Inc.
410 Great Road
Littleton, MA 01460