Importance

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Abstract

A lightweight deformable mirror suitable for space applications is disclosed in which a plurality of electrically-operated electrodistortive actuators may be used to selectively deform the mirror's reflecting surface. The actuators are sandwiched between a pair of thin sheets of glass with the surface of one sheet finished to form the mirror's reflecting surface. By selectively energizing one or more of the actuators, the mirror surface can be deformed to correct aberrations in optical wavefronts impinging on the mirror or to encode signals into wavefronts projected onto the mirror surface. Electrical connections to the actuators may be made through printed circuit connections which are contained on the bottom sheet of the deformable mirror. Since the bottom sheet is permitted to flex along with the top sheet containing the reflecting surface in response to forces imparted thereto when the actuators are energized, a lightweight, thin sheet of glass can be used for the bottom sheet, thereby reducing the mirror's overall weight. In one embodiment, three pairs of kinematic mounts support the deformable mirror and may be used to change the orientation of the mirror's reflecting surface. In an alternate preferred embodiment, gross changes in the shape of the mirror's reflecting surface may be made by operating control actuators which are fastened between the deformable mirror and the surface on which the mirror is mounted.

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First Claim