Adaptive Optical Mirror Structure for Fast Global and Local Curvature Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional deformable mirrors require complex and time-consuming adjustments of multiple actuators to modify the curvature of the reflective face, leading to inaccuracies, high costs, and limited deformation capabilities, making them unsuitable for applications requiring precise and varied curvature modifications.
Innovation Solution
An adaptive optics device with a deformable primary plate, supported by a secondary plate and actuated by primary and secondary actuators, along with external actuators, allowing for precise and rapid curvature adjustments without affecting the stroke of primary actuators, enhancing deformation modes and reducing assembly complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple actuators are adjusted to modify the curvature of the reflective face, then the curvature can be modified, but the adjustment becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the curvature control function into two independent parts: a first set of actuators for local deformations and a second set of actuators for global curvature control. This segmentation allows each actuator group to handle specific aspects of deformation, simplifying the overall control complexity while maintaining full curvature modification capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a secondary plate as an intermediary element between the actuators and the primary reflective plate. This secondary plate acts as a mediator that translates the action of the second actuators into global curvature changes of the primary plate, reducing the complexity of direct multi-actuator coordination.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple actuators are adjusted to modify the curvature, then curvature modification is achieved, but the adjustment time increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the actuator functions into local and global control groups, the patent enables independent adjustment of each group. This allows parallel processing of different curvature aspects, significantly reducing the total adjustment time compared to sequential coordination of all actuators.
Solution Approach 2:
The second actuators are designed to pre-establish the desired global curvature of the primary plate before the first actuators perform local deformations. This preliminary action simplifies subsequent adjustments and reduces overall calibration time.
3Manufacturing precision
If the stroke of actuators is reduced to maintain precision, then manufacturing precision is improved, but the deformation range is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the deformation tasks into local precision deformations (handled by first actuators with small strokes) and global curvature changes (handled by second actuators with larger strokes). This allows each actuator type to operate within its optimal stroke range, maintaining precision while expanding the overall deformation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a second dimension of actuation by introducing a separate set of actuators that work in conjunction with the primary actuators. This dimensional expansion allows the system to achieve large deformations through combined action without compromising the precision of individual actuator strokes.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the deformable plate is given an overall curvature, then specific optical requirements are met, but local deformation precision decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the control functions by assigning global curvature control to the second actuators and local deformation control to the first actuators. This segmentation ensures that local precision is maintained even when overall curvature is applied, as the first actuators can make fine adjustments independent of the global curvature state.
Solution Approach 2:
The second actuators first establish the required overall curvature to meet optical system requirements, creating a pre-conditioned state. Then the first actuators perform precise local deformations on top of this curved surface, maintaining high local accuracy despite the global curvature.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The device enables rapid, precise, and varied curvature modifications with improved accuracy and reduced complexity, resulting in a robust, compact, and cost-effective adaptive optics solution suitable for diverse optical systems.
Implementation Method 1
a deformable primary plate, which has an optical surface intended to deform an incident wavefront by refraction and/or reflection
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of primary actuators, each designed to apply a respective force to said deformable primary plate in order to deform said optical surface
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an adaptive optical device comprising: - a deformable primary plate having an optical surface for deforming an incident wavefront, - a plurality of primary actuators for applying a force to said primary plate in order to deform said optical surface, - a structure that is fixed with respect to said primary plate, the device also comprising - a deformable secondary plate bearing the primary actuators, - a secondary actuator, connected to the structure, and designed to exert, on said secondary plate, a force in an actuation secondary direction in order to deform it, said secondary direction and said secondary plate being secant. The invention is particularly suitable for rapidly and precisely modifying, with various amplitudes, the curvature of an optical surface intended to modify an incident wavefront within an optical system.