Development of key adaptive mirror technologies for the European Extremely Large Telescope (ELT)
Lead Research Organisation:
Durham University
Department Name: Physics
Abstract
We propose to build a 'proof of concept' portion of a large deformable mirror. We will demonstrate that a combination of already available technologies, with some development, can address key problems currently facing large adaptive mirror technologies. We will show that our mirror portion will be scalable to, and representative of the technology required to build a large adaptive mirror for the European ELT. We propose optimising the material parameters of a compliant form of silicon carbide for use as a structural support for a mirror surface. We will develop a novel technique of preparing the surface of the compliant silicon carbide as an adaptive mirror shell by selectively building up a silicon dioxide layer in such a way as to minimise the time required to reach the optical prescription. We will show that a piezo ceramic (PZT) actuator can be modified to address hysteresis and that the combination of low power consumption and inherent stiffness make the device an ideal candidate for large deformable mirrors.
People |
ORCID iD |
Richard Myers (Principal Investigator) |
Description | New technologies were explored but are not currently being applied directly to astronomical telescopes. |
Exploitation Route | Further investment might allow the development of large deformable mirrors for aerospace applications |
Sectors | Aerospace Defence and Marine Manufacturing including Industrial Biotechology |
Description | This grant principally supported work at the STFC UK Astronomy Technology (and academic and industrial partners) to explore the use and development of technologies to produce large adaptive mirrors. |
First Year Of Impact | 2008 |
Sector | Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology |
Impact Types | Economic |
Description | Cost effective DM technologies |
Organisation | University of the West of Scotland |
Department | Microscales Sensors Group |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Emergent ideas from the initial grant have been investigated by the original partners and a new collaboration has evolved. The new collaborators bring in expertise in laser machining and applications requiring deformable mirror technologies in laser rangefinding. |
Collaborator Contribution | Evaluation of test pieces to verify novel concepts |
Impact | The partners have siubmitted scientific papers and we won the SUPA 2010 business plan competition based on exploiting our technology developments |
Start Year | 2008 |