Micro Mechanical Adaptive Optics System

As the key cost reduction component for an integrated adaptive optics system, the Phase I effort of this project will be to design, develop, fabricate, and demonstrate three Micro-Opto-Electro-Machines (MOEM's) technologies. SY technology has developed its own segmented MOEM mirror concept. Our consultant, Dr. Thomas Bifano, Associate Professor of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineer, Boston University, will provide us access to a second MOEM technology now under development through Boston University's recently awarded ARPA contract. Our "Technology Affiliates Agreement" with the California Institute of Technology gives us access to a third mirror technology. MOEM technology has the potential for providing a low cost deformable mirror for wavefront compensation yet has the capability for delivering high stroke, high bandwidth, and high actuator density. In Phase I, we will fabricate a test array using three distinct MOEM architectures, and each technology will be evaluated for stroke, flatness, bandwidth, power consumption, and frequency response. Our partner, Adaptive Optics Associates (AOA), will provide us with the expertise needed to measure the performance of these arrays. The results of our tests will be used in the systems design portion of this project. Phase II will implement this system design.| Benefits: As the key cost reduction component for an integrated adaptive optics system, the Phase I effort of this project will be to design, develop, fabricate, and demonstrate three Micro-Opto-Electro-Machines (MOEM's) technologies. MOEM technology has the potential for providing a deformable mirror for wavefront compensation yet has the capability for delivering high stroke, high bandwith, and high actuator density for a cost of under $1,000.|