N142-115 TITLE: High-Performance Deformable Mirror Technology Test and Evaluation Platform

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Sensors, Weapons

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: Solid State Laser Maturation Program and High Energy Fiber Laser FNC

OBJECTIVE: Develop and demonstrate a technology capable of characterizing the real-time performance of Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS) or scalable Deformable Mirrors (DM) used in Adaptive Optics (AO) systems for compensation of atmospheric effects of laser beam propagation through turbulent atmospheres, imaging and in free-space communication. This topic addresses the need for real time DM special and temporal surface evaluation metrology not the DM or wavefront sensor technology.

DESCRIPTION: Develop a measurement tool for evaluating and assessing the performance of DM systems. Of special importance are the following performance parameters: response time, structural dynamic of the entire MEMS or DM module, errors related to hysteresis, and non-linearity in the response of the wavefront correction module. The test-technology to be developed under this effort should support:

Desired Features:
� Large stroke, in excess of 10 micron
� Ability to accommodate reflective or scattering surfaces
� Capable of addressing speed in excess of 20 kHz at the displacement rate of 20 nm/�s or greater
� Applicable to higher-order deformable mirrors with large actuator counts (>1000) and high actuator densities (actuator spacing <3 mm)
� Characterizing in-plane and out-of-plane surface displacement

Required Features:
� Ability to accommodate total apertures up to 3"
� Spatial resolution < 500 um
� Detectable full-aperture sag : 25 micron.
� Pixel stroke precision: < 0.01 micron
� Usable on diffuse or mirror-like surfaces with the reflectivity ranging from 0.5% to 100% (glass/fused silica, metal or dielectric coated mirrors)

PHASE I: Develop theoretical concepts and demonstrate a DM metrology tool which is capable of characterizing high-speed MEMS or DM response. Feasibility and its validation shall be established by material testing simulation backed by theoretical modeling. Final report should convince that the proposed product can be properly designed to address the above desired and required features and be achieved if Phase II is awarded. The small business will provide a Phase II development plan addressing technical risk reduction.

PHASE II: Based on Phase I results, design and develop prototype technology for evaluating the performance of deformable mirrors or MEMS arrays, and demonstrate its performance against a calibrated AO system. The offerer shall closely work with Navy engineers engaged with the development of laser weapon systems along with suitable industry partners to identify and implement technology transition to military and civilian applications. A fully operational system is required by the end of Phase II.

PHASE III: Phase III shall address the commercialization of the product developed as a prototype in Phase II. The final product shall meet the objectives set above and demonstrate measurement on DMs under development. The small business is expected to work with suitable industry partners for this transition to military programs and civilian applications by identifying the expected final state of the technology, its use, and the platform it will be used on.

PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL/DUAL-USE APPLICATIONS: An effective AO system capable of controlling high laser power would be of interest to wielding community. Deep turbulence correction for imaging purposes and laser propagation is of interest in a large number of communication and laser sensing applications including astronomy and remote surveillance. Other non-military applications include medical imaging, global environmental monitoring, and video surveillance.

REFERENCES:
1. E. Steinhaus, S. G. Lipson, "Bimorph piezoelectric flexible mirror", J. Opt. Soc. Am., Vol. 69, No. 3, pp. 478-481, 1979.

2. F. Forbes, F. Roddier, G. Poczulp, C. Pinches, G. Sweeny and R. Dueck, "Segmented Bimorph Deformable Mirror," J. Phys. E: Sci. Instrum., 22, pp. 402-405,1989.

3. L. Beresnev, M. Vorontsov, P. Wangsness, "Pocket Deformable Mirror for Adaptive Optics Applications," Proc. of AMOS Technical Conference, Maui HI, 2006.

4. D. Guzmán, F. de Cos Juez, F. Lasheras, Deformable Mirror Model for Open-Loop Adaptive Optics Using Multivariate Adaptive Regression Splines, Opt. Express, 18, pp. 6493-6505, 2010.

KEYWORDS: Adaptive optic system; deformable mirror; atmospheric turbulence; Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS)

** TOPIC AUTHOR (TPOC) **

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