Deformable Mirror Control via Wavefront Analysis
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional telescopes with deformable mirrors face challenges in maintaining stability over long periods between corrections, especially when the delay between successive corrections can be as long as a month, making it difficult to guarantee the required stability of 5 nanometers.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating means for controlling the deformable mirror, including a source that reflects its image onto wave surface analysis means, with a mobile mirror system allowing precise positioning to monitor and correct the mirror's deformation, thereby ensuring stability and optical quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a deformable mirror is used to correct primary mirror defects, then optical quality is improved, but maintaining stability over long periods (e.g., one month) becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary monitoring and correction actions by continuously tracking the deformable mirror's position and making adjustments before significant drift occurs. The system proactively maintains the mirror's shape rather than reacting to degradation, ensuring stability over extended periods between corrections.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs feedback mechanisms where the actual position and shape of the deformable mirror are continuously measured and compared to the desired configuration. This feedback loop enables real-time adjustments to maintain optical quality and stability, allowing the system to compensate for drift and maintain precision over long periods.
2Measurement precision
If dedicated interferometer means are used to monitor the deformable mirror, then monitoring precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the existing wavefront analyzer serve dual purposes: it continues to analyze the overall optical quality of the telescope while simultaneously monitoring the specific position and shape of the deformable mirror. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for a separate dedicated interferometer, maintaining high monitoring precision while avoiding increased device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the monitoring function for the deformable mirror with the existing wavefront analysis system. By combining these functions into a single integrated system, the patent achieves dedicated-level monitoring precision without the added complexity of separate interferometer hardware, thereby resolving the contradiction between precision and complexity.
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
This solution allows for precise monitoring and correction of the deformable mirror, maintaining stability and optical quality over extended periods with minimal adaptations to the telescope's optics, enabling permanent tracking of the mirror's performance.
Implementation Method 1
the image of the source, after reflection on at least the deformable mirror focuses on the wave surface analysis means
Implementation Method 2
the image of the source, after reflection on at least the deformable mirror focuses on the wave surface analysis means
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The general field of the invention is that of telescopes comprising an optical system and wavefront analysis means (D) arranged in the focal plane of said optical system. The optical system comprises a focusing optic (M1, M2) and a magnifying optic (M3, M4, M6), the magnifying optic comprising a deformable mirror (M5) with controlled deformation. The telescope includes means for controlling the deformable mirror comprising a source arranged such that the image of said source, after reflection on the deformable mirror, is focused onto the wavefront analysis means. In alternative embodiments, the control means comprise a movable mirror having two positions, a rest position and a control position. The source may be arranged either in the intermediate focal plane of the focusing optic, or at the focus of a control mirror, or even in the vicinity of the focal plane of the optical system.