Amplified deformable mirror

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11630299-B1
Application number	US-202016863676-A
Country	US
Kind code	B1
Filing date	Apr 30, 2020
Priority date	Apr 30, 2019
Publication date	Apr 18, 2023
Grant date	Apr 18, 2023

Abstract

Various examples are provided related to amplified deformable mirrors (ADMs). In one embodiment, an ADM includes a deformable mirror and a flexible dielectric matrix deposited on a front side of the deformable mirror. A pathlength of a wavelength, λ 0 , of electromagnetic radiation passing through the dielectric matrix can be amplified by a distribution of dielectric particles embedded in the dielectric matrix.

First claim

Therefore, at least the following is claimed:

1. An amplified deformable mirror (ADM), comprising:
a continuous deformable mirror supported by a plurality of actuators; and
a flexible dielectric matrix deposited on a front side of the continuous deformable mirror where a pathlength of a wavelength, λ 0 , of electromagnetic radiation passing through the dielectric matrix is amplified by a distribution of dielectric particles embedded in the dielectric matrix.

2. The ADM of claim 1 , wherein the dielectric particles have a particle index of refraction (n p ) that is greater than a matrix index of refraction (n M ) of a material forming the flexible dielectric matrix.

3. The ADM of claim 1 , wherein a material forming the flexible dielectric matrix comprises latex or polyurethane.

4. The ADM of claim 1 , wherein a material forming the flexible dielectric matrix is flexible within a defined range of operational temperatures or a defined range of operational pressures.

5. The ADM of claim 1 , wherein an average diameter (D p ) of the dielectric particles is a subwavelength of the wavelength of the electromagnetic radiation.

6. The ADM of claim 5 , wherein the D p is less than or equal to one tenth of the wavelength λ 0 .

7. The ADM of claim 1 , wherein a material forming the dielectric particles comprises silicon, gallium or germanium.

8. The ADM of claim 1 , comprising a coating disposed on a side of the flexible dielectric matrix opposite the continuous deformable mirror.

9. The ADM of claim 8 , wherein the coating is an anti-reflective (AR) coating.

10. The ADM of claim 1 , comprising a coating disposed on a second side of the continuous deformable mirror.

Assignees

• Univ Arizona

Inventors

• Walker Christopher K

Classifications

• G02B27/0068 Primary

  having means for controlling the degree of correction, e.g. using phase modulators, movable elements (controlling the phase of light using moving or deformable elements G02B26/06) · CPC title

• G02B26/0825 Primary

  the reflecting element being a flexible sheet or membrane, e.g. for varying the focus (flexible mirrors for cosmetic use A45D42/24) · CPC title

• G02B26/06

  for controlling the phase of light (G02B26/08 takes precedence {, measuring optical phase difference G01J9/00}) · CPC title

• G02B1/11

  Anti-reflection coatings · CPC title

• G02B26/0833

  the reflecting element being a micromechanical device, e.g. a MEMS mirror, DMD (G02B26/0825 takes precedence; micromechanical devices in general B81B) · CPC title