Continuous No-print-through Bipolar Phase-Sheet Wavefront Corrector

The goal of this SBIR Phase I program is to demonstrate the feasibility of a low-cost, large-bipolar-stroke, high-resolution, VLSI-chip-driven, continuous phase-sheet deformable mirror (with no support-posts) for adaptive-optics wavefront correction for below-the-weather unmanned aerial vehicle satellite communications systems. The proposed device architecture integrates a high-voltage VLSI driver chip with a free-standing reflective membrane-mirror sheet with no support posts, so that the possibility of print through from support posts is eliminated. This MEMS-on VLSI design approach is expected to lead to compact, low-cost, low-weight and low-electrical-power-consumption devices. The ultimate program goal is a device with 10,000 pixels, framing at 5 kHz and costing $5,000 in small quantities.