High Gain Bandwidth Deformable Mirror for High Energy Lasers

When dealing with a standard problem of atmospheric compensation using adaptive-optics, classic analysis shows that phase variance falls sharply with increasing temporal frequency. This is just a matter of the statistics of turbulence. However, todaythere are many scenarios where this basic assumption doesn't hold true. Scenarios with high scintillation, turbulence that doesn't satisfy standard statistics, or systems that contain high frequency jitter, need a system that can generate large amounts ofstroke at high frequency. New deformable mirrors must be developed that can handle these high current reuqirements without damaging the ceramic actuators used in today's mirrors. In addition, the need to make smaller optical systems while retaining thesame large number of degrees of freedom further complicates the issue. Xinetics proposes to build a new type of deformable mirror that will address both of these issues. The mirror will utilize new understanding on actuator technology to insure that theactuator can operate to high frequencies at full stroke. In addition, the mirror will use a new modular mirror technology that permits much more compact and efficient mirror designs and robotic technology to aid in the assembly process