Development of novel high bandwidth beam steering mirrors

A High Energy steering mirror capable of kilohertz response and submicroradian accuracy in a power efficient design using the combination of ultralightweight silicon carbide with compact XiWave actuators is proposed. Past designs of High-Energy Uncooled Fast steering mirrors trace their legacy to single crystal silicon VLA coated turning flats and voice coil actuators. Xinetics proposes an improved steering mirror concept to provide rapid beam steering in HEL laser beam control systems. The proposed design would use a lightweight silicon carbide mirror reducing the mirror weight from 17 lbs for a solid silicon substrate to less than 3 lbs. The reduced inertia of the lightweight mirror design will improve dynamic performance. Existing steering mirror concepts use COTS actuators that tend to be bulky and consume significant electrical power. The proposed design would use XIWAVE motors to accurately point the mirror and achieve both long stoke and kilohertz response. XiWave actuators are ultrasonic motors used to rotate a fine pitch screw. The piezoelectric tube produces high precision direct strain actuation in addition to ultrasonic vibration. Using this hybrid approach, both long stroke and fast movement can be achieved in the same actuator with high stiffness, small size and significantly reduced power requirements.