BACKGROUND

Field of Endeavor

The present application relates to deformable mirrors and more particularly to a deformable mirror with integrated microchannel support.

State of Technology

This section provides background information related to the present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art.

Deformable mirrors are used in the field of optics to shape images in order to correct the aberrations and to improve the quality. Current technologies use electromagnetic push-pull actuators at selected points on the mirror to distort the reflecting surface into a desired shape, such that the output image is superior in some way to the input image. The current state of art deformable mirror systems are bulky. They have a low number of actuation elements. They also have slow response times. Problems with existing deformable mirror technology include (1) not enough push-pull points for high spatial frequency correction and (2) low dynamic response of the mirror itself for higher frequency temporal correction.

SUMMARY

Features and advantages of the disclosed apparatus, systems, and methods will become apparent from the following description. Applicant is providing this description, which includes drawings and examples of specific embodiments, to give a broad representation of the apparatus, systems, and methods. Various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the application will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this description and by practice of the apparatus, systems, and methods. The scope of the apparatus, systems, and methods is not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed and the application covers all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the apparatus, systems, and methods as defined by the claims.

The inventors' apparatus, systems, and methods solve the problem of generating lightweight, high speed deformable mirrors for adaptive optics applications. Current deformable mirror systems are bulky, have a low number of actuation elements, and have slow response times.

The inventors' apparatus, systems, and methods use additive manufacturing to build a support structure onto the back side of a thin film mirror. By utilizing a combination of MEMS/optical coating processes and additive manufacturing to the inventors have created a lightweight deformable mirror and support.

The inventors' apparatus, systems, and methods provide a deformable mirror that has a mirror front face and a mirror back exposed surface. An elastomeric support structure is connected to the mirror back exposed surface. The elastomeric support structure includes a multitude of microchannels wherein the microchannels have a closed end located proximate the mirror back exposed surface and an open end located away from the mirror back exposed surface. A fluid pressure source is connected to the open end of the microchannels. A power source and control system are connected to the fluid pressure source.

The apparatus, systems, and methods are susceptible to modifications and alternative forms. Specific embodiments are shown by way of example. It is to be understood that the apparatus, systems, and methods are not limited to the particular forms disclosed. The apparatus, systems, and methods cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the application as defined by the claims.

