Differential pressure deformable mirror
US4934803A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 12, 1989 |
| Grant date | Jun 19, 1990 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 12, 2009 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B26/0825
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A deformable mirror construction is disclosed in which a difference in pressure between the front reflecting surface of the deformable mirror and an enclosed chamber behind the mirror's reflecting surface is used to restore the reflecting surface to its undeformed condition after its shape has been deformed by the selective operation of one or more electrodistortive actuators. A pump is associated with the chamber to produce at least a partial vacuum in the enclosed chamber. The use of a pressure differential to influence the shape of the mirror's reflecting surface avoids the need to have the actuators fastened to the reflecting surface, thereby permitting a construction which provides for the easy replacement of actuators. A preferred embodiment of the deformable mirror includes an apparatus for circulating a coolant through the mirror's faceplate to remove heat therefrom.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.