Wavefront conjugation using electron-gun-controlled piezoelectric materials

George C. Nelson; John A. Main; Jeffrey W. Martin

doi:10.1117/12.390344

7 July 2000 Wavefront conjugation using electron-gun-controlled piezoelectric materials

George C. Nelson, John A. Main, Jeffrey W. Martin

Proceedings Volume 4007, Adaptive Optical Systems Technology; (2000) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.390344
Event: Astronomical Telescopes and Instrumentation, 2000, Munich, Germany

Abstract

Current adaptive optics designs often rely upon multiple actuators to mechanically deform mirrored surfaces. The spatial resolution of control is dependent upon the physical size of these actuators and the number of actuators present. Piezoelectric materials may be used for actuation however the classical control methods of these materials also rely on discrete areas of actuation and require lead wiring for each electrode, patch, or stack utilized. Electron gun control of piezoelectric materials eliminates the need for discrete, segmented electrodes and their associated lead wiring. This method also holds the potential for much finer control resolution since the restraining parameter is beam size. Lightweight piezoelectric ceramics may possibly be used as wavefront conjugating mirrors. Piezo-ceramic plates can be actuated with an electron gun and a single distributed electrode of optical quality. The electron gun functions as a pointing device while varying the potential, referred to as backpressure, of the single electrode controls the magnitude of actuation. By using this method, future corrective optics may significantly surpass current design performance without significantly increasing system complexity.

Citation Download Citation

George C. Nelson, John A. Main, and Jeffrey W. Martin "Wavefront conjugation using electron-gun-controlled piezoelectric materials", Proc. SPIE 4007, Adaptive Optical Systems Technology, (7 July 2000); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.390344

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