Instrument for Contouring Deformable Mirrors at High Speed, Resolution, and Dynamic Range

This SBIR proposal describes an optical system that will provide a compact, easy-to-use tool for the measurement and characterization of deformable mirrors by contouring coated and uncoated surfaces being driven at high frequency. The proposed system is based on a state-of-the-art, real-time, two-wavelength, digital holography technique. This system combines an innovative optical architecture, compact laser diodes, an advanced CCD camera, and sophisticated data processing algorithms to generate high resolution 3-D profiles at kilohertz frequencies. During the Phase I project we will develop conceptual designs, perform trade study analyses, and perform experiments with measurement systems available at MetroLaser to demonstrate the feasibility of producing a prototype instrument during Phase II.