Single Crystal Bimorph Array Driven Deformable Mirrors, Phase I

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project will research a novel deformable mirror design for NASA adaptive optics telescope applications . The innovation offers reliable mechanics for the strained architecture, facilitating dynamic modeling and the control of the overall mirror system. A system-level finite element analysis and design optimization, in combination with proof-of-concept experimental verification methods, will be adopted to identify the most promising design for the future adaptive optics telescope systems. Focus will be given to improve the long time reliability and stability of the system while reducing thermal distortions for the mirror system. In Phase I, the proposed deformable mirror system will be designed and extensively modeled using finite element analysis technique to examine its electro-mechanical response, thermal-mechanical responses, and the various radiation-induced thermal-mechanical responses, respectively. Based on the design, Phase I will see the prototyping and testing of a 5x5 array sub-scale model.

This is a mature technology (TRL 7+) — the realistic path in is usually NASA's Technology Transfer Program: licensing an existing NASA patent, or a Space Act Agreement to use NASA facilities/expertise directly. NASA also runs a startup licensing program with no upfront fee for companies formed to commercialize a specific NASA technology.

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