High-Resolution Wide-Dynamic-Range MEMS-Based Closed-Loop Adaptive Optics System

AgilOptics’ Phase I SBIR proposed the development of a moire¢ Wave-Front Sensor (MWFS) test-bed to evaluate the MWFS design developed and patented by the University of New Mexico (UNM) and to extend the design for use in a closed-loop Adaptive Optic (AO) system with a Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) Deformable Mirror (DM) corrector. Our Phase I results have shown that the MWFS provides intensity measurements of wavefront curvature that, when calibrated, can be used to directly drive the actuators of a MEMS DM (with linear analog control) to correct wavefront aberrations. The MWFS measurement process essentially acts like an optical computer, linearizing the calculation of DM actuator commands for wavefront correction. The goals of the proposed Phase II effort are first to demonstrate closed-loop wavefront control using the MWFS to directly control MEMS DM correction and second to design, fabricate, test, and deliver a field-able AO system based on this technology.