Integrated Zonal Meniscus Mirror Technology

The Proposed Phase II SBIR will develop and demonstrate an innovative approach to produce ultra-lightweight, active, segmented primary mirrors for beam directors and imaging telescopes. Named the Integrated Zonal Meniscus Mirror, it combines thedesireable materials properties of a silicon carbide substrate with electroactive actuators and sensors, and application specific integrated circuits imbedded within the substrate to autonomously control the figure of the mirror gollowing and initialcalibration. The proposed project combines the results of a BMDO Phase I SBIR study of Xinetics' CERAFORM silicon carbide process to produce complex, ultra-lightweight, near-net shape mirror substrates, and an NRO DII Phase I development of high strainelectroactive actuators. Out three year technology roadmap includes two flat subscale .4-meter pathfinders, one hexagonal, the other trapezoidal to demonstrate and agile stressed mirror optical polishing approach, figure control, and segment phasing. Inthe last two years a 1 meter hexagonal center segment and 1.5-meter trapezoidal outer segment, both aspherics, will be built with embedded actuators, sensors,a nd electronics, then integrated for a full scale demonstration of agile stressed mirrorpolishing, figure, and phasing controlMirrors and optical structures for the lithography industry and the optics industryMirroes for laser systems used in maufacturing of a broad range of productsScan mirrors in laser systemsFlat mirrors in laser systems