Thermal Deformable Mirror

摘要

Beam correction of high power lasers often requires large wavefront deformations with very slow rates of change. Adaptive Optics Associates, Inc. (AOA) has developed a new type of deformable mirror in which thermal expansion of tubes control the mirror's figure. This paper is the subject of a patent disclosure. Such a mirror can produce large stroke at rates compatible with thermal distortions in high power lasers. This paper discusses the design of this device including range of deformation, ways to measure the temperature of the tubes, and algorithms to control mirror shape while compensating for the non-symmetrical response of thermal expansion and contraction. The construction of a prototype device and the associated control electronics and software is also covered. Photographs of the working device are shown.