Deformable mirrors based on magnetic liquids

Phil R. Laird; Ermanno F. Borra; Rosangela Bergamasco; Julie Gingras; Long Truong; Anna Ritcey

doi:10.1117/12.552141

25 October 2004 Deformable mirrors based on magnetic liquids

Phil R. Laird, Ermanno F. Borra, Rosangela Bergamasco, Julie Gingras, Long Truong, Anna Ritcey

Proceedings Volume 5490, Advancements in Adaptive Optics; (2004) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.552141
Event: SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation, 2004, Glasgow, United Kingdom

Abstract

The trend towards ever larger telescopes and more advanced adaptive optics systems such as multi-conjugate adaptive optics is driving the need for deformable mirrors with a large number of low cost actuators. Other applications require strokes larger than those readily available from conventional mirrors. Magnetically deformable liquid mirrors are a potential solution to both these problems. Depositing a thin silver colloid known as a metal liquid-like film (MELLF) on the ferrofluid surface solves the problem of low reflectivity of pure ferrofluids. This combination provides a liquid optical surface that can be precisely shaped in a magnetic field. We have demonstrated a reflective coating that is stable for more than 30 days with a reflectivity of 50% in the near infrared. Additional experiments indicate that MELLF coatings can provide near infrared reflectivity values in excess of 80%. We also report on recent response time measurements of liquid deformable mirrors. We have demonstrated liquid mirror actuators with slew rates of 800 μm/s, corresponding to an actuator bandwidth of approximately 40 Hz and 80 Hz for strokes of 10 μm and 5 μm respectively.

Citation Download Citation

Phil R. Laird, Ermanno F. Borra, Rosangela Bergamasco, Julie Gingras, Long Truong, and Anna Ritcey "Deformable mirrors based on magnetic liquids", Proc. SPIE 5490, Advancements in Adaptive Optics, (25 October 2004); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.552141

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