Adaptive Optics for ELTs with Low-Cost and Lightweight Segmented Deformable Mirrors

Université Libre de Bruxelles, 50 av. F.D. Roosevelt CP165/42, B-1050, Brussels, Belgium

^a e-mail: goncalo.rodrigues@ulb.ac.be

Abstract

This paper examines the possibility of constructing deformable mirrors for adaptive optics with a large number of degrees of freedom from silicon wafers with bimorph piezoelectric actuation. The mirror may be used on its own, or as a segment of a larger mirror. The typical size of one segment is 100-200 mm; the production process relies on silicon wafers and thick film PZT deposition technology; it is able to lead to an actuation pitch of the order of 5 mm, and the manufacturing costs appear to grow only slowly with the number of degrees of freedom in the adaptive optics.