A New Approach for Fabricating Large Format Deformable Mirrors

自适应光学(AO)是一种在使用天文望远镜时消除大气造成的模糊的技术。作为望远镜的一部分，可以改变形状的高速镜子(即可变形的镜子)可以实现这一技术，从而产生更清晰的图像。该项目将寻求开发一种制造这种可变形镜子的新方法。这种集成将允许在望远镜中更常规地使用声光。这种方法的一个关键任务是制造薄的曲面玻璃“壳”，这是可变形镜片的一部分。调查人员将开发一种更经济的方法来制造这些炮弹。该计划将开发制造直径达0.9米的炮弹的方法。这将使现有的大型望远镜能够利用这种光学装置用于天文学。该项目将邀请一名研究生参与开发工作。该项目将研究一种制造自适应次镜所需外壳的新方法。通常，最初平整的抛光玻璃薄片通过加热形成曲线。这种方法将依赖于一种准确的否定形式来将玻璃倾倒在上面。这个项目将采取一种不同的方法，让玻璃在外壳最终光学直径之外的支撑环内自由下沉。这种方法允许在各种曲率半径上创建壳，只需调整峰值温度即可。为了形成一个近似抛物线的形状，需要一个额外的力，这个力是用顶部重量完成的，给定力正好在接近所需形状的光学直径之外。这种制造更简单、更坚固的大尺寸可变形反射镜的能力，将使这种技术适用于各种口径大小的望远镜。这种制作方法还可以应用于天文学以外需要大型弯曲和可变形光学系统的其他应用，如太阳能集中式光伏发电系统。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

Adaptive Optics(AO) is a technique that removes the blurring created by the atmosphere when using an astronomical telescope. High speed mirrors, included as part of the telescope, that can change shape (i.e. deformable mirrors) can enable this technique, resulting in a much sharper image. This project would look to develop a new approach to making such deformable mirrors. This integration would allow for the more routine use of AO in telescopes. A key task for this approach is the fabrication of thin curved glass “shells” that are part of the deformable mirror optics. The investigators will develop a more economical way of making these shells. The program will develop the approach for making shells up to 0.9 m in diameter. This will enable existing large telescopes to utilize such optics for use in astronomy. The project will involve a graduate student in the development work.This project will investigate a new approach for fabrication of the shells needed to use in Adaptive Secondary Mirrors. Typically, initially flat polished sheets of glass are formed into curves via heating. This approach would rely on an accurate negative form to slump the glass onto. This project would take a different approach by letting the glass slump freely within a support ring that is outside the final optical diameter of the shell. Such an approach allows for creation of shells over a variety of radii of curvature, simply by adjusting the peak temperature. To create an approximately parabolic shape, an additional force is required that is accomplished with a top weight with a given force just outside the optical diameter creates close to the desired shape. This ability to fabricate simpler and more robust large format deformable mirrors, will make such technology available to a wide range of telescopes of various aperture sizes. This fabrication approach can also be applied to other applications beyond astronomy that require large curved and deformable optics such as solar concentrated photovoltaic power systems.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.