Unimorph deformable mirror for space telescopes: environmental testing

Optics Express
Peter RauschUlrich Wittrock

Abstract

We have developed and manufactured a unimorph deformable mirror for space telescopes based on piezoelectric actuation. The mirror features 44 actuators, has an aperture of 50 mm, and is designed to reproduce low-order Zernike modes with a stroke of several tens of μm. We assessed the space compliance by operating the mirror in thermal vacuum, and exposing it to random and sinusoidal vibrations, as well as to ionizing irradiation. Additionally, the operational life time and the laser power handling capability were tested. The mirror was successfully operated in thermal vacuum at 100 K. We report on the conducted tests and the methods used to evaluate the mirror's performance, and discuss the compliance with the demanded requirements.

References

Nov 14, 1997·Journal of the Optical Society of America. A, Optics, Image Science, and Vision·J LiangD T Miller
Sep 15, 2007·Philosophical Transactions. Series A, Mathematical, Physical, and Engineering Sciences·Martin J Booth
Jan 1, 2001·Optics Express·H DysonG Vdovin
Aug 6, 2013·Applied Optics·Keith Patterson, Sergio Pellegrino
Sep 15, 2015·Optics Express·Peter RauschUlrich Wittrock

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