Unconventional adaptive mirrors at the University of Arizona

Michael Hart; S. Mark Ammons; Blake Coughenour; Robert Romeo

doi:10.1117/12.919059

3 May 2012 Unconventional adaptive mirrors at the University of Arizona

Michael Hart, S. Mark Ammons, Blake Coughenour, Robert Romeo

Proceedings Volume 8373, Micro- and Nanotechnology Sensors, Systems, and Applications IV; 83730U (2012) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.919059
Event: SPIE Defense, Security, and Sensing, 2012, Baltimore, Maryland, United States

Abstract

We describe the construction and application of innovative deformable mirrors for adaptive optics (AO) being developed at the University of Arizona's Center for Astronomical Adaptive Optics. The mirrors are up to 1 m in diameter, with high actuator stroke, and are optically powered. Scientific motivations for the work include the detection of earthlike planets around other nearby stars, as well as non-astronomical applications such as directed energy and horizontal imaging for defense and security. We describe how high resolution imaging is delivered over an unusually wide field of view by ground-layer AO. This technique employs multiple laser guide stars to sense the instantaneous three-dimensional distribution of atmospheric turbulence. Imaging with high signal-to-noise ratio in the thermal infrared is enabled by embedding the deformable mirror directly in the telescope. We also describe recent work to develop a new generation of these mirrors with lighter weight and improved robustness by use of replicated composite materials which shows promise for greatly reducing the cost of AO and broadening its appeal, particularly for non-astronomical applications as well as for a new generation of extremely large ground-based telescopes of 30 m diameter now under construction.

Citation Download Citation

Michael Hart, S. Mark Ammons, Blake Coughenour, and Robert Romeo "Unconventional adaptive mirrors at the University of Arizona", Proc. SPIE 8373, Micro- and Nanotechnology Sensors, Systems, and Applications IV, 83730U (3 May 2012); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.919059

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available

Members: $17.00

Non-members: $21.00 ADD TO CART

PROCEEDINGS
10 PAGES

DOWNLOAD PAPER SAVE TO MY LIBRARY

GET CITATION

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

Get copyright permission Get copyright permission on Copyright Marketplace

KEYWORDS

Adaptive optics

Mirrors

Telescopes

Actuators

Stars

Astronomy

Deformable mirrors

Show All Keywords

Keywords/Phrases

Search In:

Publication Years