Patent · US Expired

Multiplexer hardware and software for control of a deformable mirror

US7013183B1 · kind B1 · utility

8Cited by
5References
65Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateJul 14, 2000
Grant dateMar 14, 2006
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 24, 2023

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG02B26/0825
  • WIPO fieldOptics
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A multiplexer (MUX) driver system controls a deformable mirror, in part, by enabling and disabling individual or multiple actuators, mechanically coupled to the deformable mirror, through use of switches (e.g., solid-state switches) electrically coupled between the actuators and a reference node. In operation, the driver system enables actuator(s) by closing respective switch(es) and driving the enabled actuator(s) to deform respective portions of the deformable mirror in a controlled manner. The driver system disables the actuator(s) by opening the respective switch(es) to decouple the actuator(s) from the reference node. The switches, in the open state, prevent respective actuators from discharging, thereby allowing a desired surface figure of the deformable mirror to be maintained for long periods of time without having to refresh the actuators. The multiplexer driver system supports low-power modes of operation and is well suited for driving a deformable mirror in larger systems, such as space-based telescopes.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.