PROGRESS ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF A ZONAL BIMORPH DEFORMABLE MIRROR

摘要

The Zonal Bimorph Deformable Mirror (ZBDM) is a new concept of adaptive mirror. It exploits the benefits normally associated with bimorph mirrors, namely simple rugged construction, low capacitance, and cost effectiveness, but in a significant departure from classical, edge supported bimorphs each element is supported from underneath. This results in a localised (zonal) response and enables the device to be scalable up to large aperture, multi-1000 element devices. Crucially, the combination of continuous support coupled with the use of flexi-circuit interconnect promotes the assembly of a high density 'tweeter' deformable mirror (DM) onto a lower density, high dynamic range 'woofer' DM to generate an integrated, dual-stage deformable mirror which can deliver both high resolution and high dynamic range simultaneously. Such a device has the potential to significantly simplify the design of astronomical adaptive optics (AO) systems. We present the progress made on the development of the ZBDM as part of a collaborative project funded by the newly formed UK Science and Technology Facilities Council.