Polymer actuators for high-resolution X-ray optics

The development of thin, segmented, grazing-incidence X-ray optics has the potential to enable future large-area X-ray missions with sub-arcsecond angular resolution. We propose to continue the development of a novel class of low-voltage thin-film actuators based on electroactive polymers to address the need for adjustable mirror figure control in future high-resolution X-ray missions. Electroactive polymers produce high strains at low voltages, being able to correct the deformations that submillimeter-thick mirror shells experience during mounting an assembly of the optical system. Fabrication of polymer thin films is a low-cost, scalable technology that can be easily translated to production by industrial partners. With fabrication temperatures below 140 degrees Celsius, electroactive polymer films can be deposited on mirror substrates inducing minimal thermal and coating stress. This proposal is the successor of APRA-funded effort 80NSSC19K0372 with title “A novel actuator for adjustable X-ray optics based on plastic electroactive polymers”. We propose to continue the development of this technology building on our current success in fabricating polymer actuators on flat silicon substrates. This proposal has four main aims: i) Demonstrate absolute correction of figure errors induced by mounting stress on a 4in-diameter flat silicon substrate. ii) Verify that functionality of actuators on flat substrates is stable and reproducible after thermal cycling tests. iii) Develop and optimize a fabrication protocol to deploy polymer actuators on curved substrates. iv) Characterize typical shell deformations and fabricate asymmetric electrode arrangements that correct the expected deformation modes with minimal complexity. This effort leverages state-of-the-art device fabrication infrastructure at the Institute for Material Sciences and Engineering at Washington University in St Louis and optical metrology facilities at the University of Iowa, as well as the expertise of the proposal team and technical and engineering support at both institutions. The ultimate goal of our effort is to deliver a mission-enabling deformable mirror technology that removes risk from the mounting and assembly process of large-area high-resolution X-ray optics while minimizing the complexity of the actuator array system. This proposed research will advance polymer actuators for deformable X-ray optics to TRL 3.

The Astrophysics Research and Analysis program (APRA) supports suborbital and suborbital-class investigations, development of detectors and supporting technology, laboratory astrophysics, and limited ground based observing. Basic research proposals in these areas are solicited for investigations that are relevant to NASA's programs in astronomy and astrophysics, including the entire range of photons, gravitational waves, and particle astrophysics. The emphasis of this solicitation is on technologies and investigations that advance NASA astrophysics missions and goals.

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