High Speed Magnetostrictive MEMS Actuated Mirror Deflectors, Phase I

We propose to develop high speed magnetostrictive and MEMS actuators for rapidly deflecting or deforming mirrors. High speed, light-weight, low voltage beam deflectors are required for rapid tuning of lasers, airborne and ground based lidar transmitters and receivers, image correctors, scanners, printers, target acquisition and countermeasures. Technologies currently employed include, electro-mechanical actuators: piezo, galvanometric, voice-coil, etc, electro or acousto-optical devices. They suffer from some or all of following drawbacks: low speed, high voltage requirement, limited life, hysteresis, high cost and bulky connections. Recent advances in magentostrictive materials have shown that large displacements (>100mm) at high frequencies (~ 40kHz) can be achieved. Using this novel technology we will build innovative mirror systems for achieving high speed beam deflections (tens of mrad). Key attributes of these deflectors are: low voltage excitation, non-contact energy transfer, compact and rugged systems for applications in lasers, lidars and airborne systems. In Phase I after exploring optimum configurations and designs of deflectors, we will fabricate laboratory scale actuators and mirrors. The speed and deflection performance of the devices will be measured and establish their feasibility. In Phase II we will build two prototype beam deflectors and incorporate them into tunable laser and lidar receiver systems for testing.

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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