Demonstrating Optical Aberration Correction With A Mems Micro Mirror Device

This research conducted the first demonstrated use of a micro- electro-mechanical structure (MEMS) mirror array to correct a static optical aberration. A well developed technique in adaptive optics imaging systems uses a deformable mirror to reflect the incident wave front to the imaging stage of the system. By matching the surface of the deformable mirror to the shape of the wave front phase distortion, the reflected wave front will be less aberrated before it is imaged. Typical adaptive optics systems use piezo-electric actuated deformable mirrors. This research used an electrostatically actuated, segmented mirror array, constructed by standard MEMS fabrication techniques, to investigate its performance as a deformable mirror. The relatively cheap cost of MEMS fabrication promises new adaptive optics applications if a suitable design can be found. In the demonstration, the point spread function (PSF) of the corrected and uncorrected aberrated image were compared. A 43 percent improvement in the peak intensity of the PSF was noted in the corrected image.

A selection of 81 papers on six major topics within the field of optical microelectromechanical systems (MEMS).

This book is a printed edition of the Special Issue Optical MEMS that was published in Micromachines

Publishes papers reporting on research and development in optical science and engineering and the practical applications of known optical science, engineering, and technology.

The first comprehensive survey of state-of-the-art tunable micro-optics, covering advances in materials, components and systems.

Microelectromechanical Systems (MEMS) is a rapidly emerging field of research in which batch fabrication processes are used to construct miniature devices. MEMS devices are particularly well suited to optical applications. Foundry microfabrication offers a substantial cost advantage for prototype system development. In this research, foundry MEMS processes are used to fabricate low-cost deformable mirror systems (MEM-DMs) for adaptive optics. The challenges and design trades associated with fabrication of continuous and segmented deformable mirrors in foundry processes are examined in detail. Micromirror surface figure is shown to be critically important. Beam steering and optical aberration correction experiments conclusively demonstrate the potential of low-cost MEM-DMs. The prototype MEM-DM systems are approximately 1/ 500th the cost of conventionally manufactured deformable mirrors. An innovative direct digital control scheme further reduces adaptive optic system cost by eliminating the digital to analog converter typically required for each controlled element. In addition to the MEM-DMs, other MEMS devices are shown. The thermally actuated piston micromirrors offer greater deflections for operation at longer optical wavelengths. Other MEMS devices examined include a series of tilting mirrors, pressure gauges, test structures, electrostatic scratch drive actuated rotors, and a new type of electrostatic cantilever motor with lateral motion output.

Proceedings of SPIE present the original research papers presented at SPIE conferences and other high-quality conferences in the broad-ranging fields of optics and photonics. These books provide prompt access to the latest innovations in research and technology in their respective fields. Proceedings of SPIE are among the most cited references in patent literature.