Polymer-based micro deformable mirror for adaptive optics

Highly performing adaptive optical (AO) systems are mandatory for next generation giant telescopes as well as next generation instrumentation for 10m-class telescopes, for studying new fields like circumstellar disks and extra-solar planets. These systems require deformable mirrors with very challenging parameters, including number of actuators up to 250 000 and inter-actuator spacing around 500 mu m. MOEMS-based devices are promising for future deformable mirrors. We are currently developing a micro-deformable mirror (MDM) based on an array of electrostatic actuators with attachment posts to a continuous mirror on top. In order to reach large stroke for low driving voltage, the originality of our approach lies in the elaboration of a sacrificial layer and of a structural layer made of polymer materials. We have developed the first polymer piston motion actuator: a 10 mu m thick mobile plate with four springs attached to the substrate, and with an air gap of 10 mu m exhibits a piston motion of 2 mu m for 30V, and measured resonance frequency of 6.5kHz is well suited for AO systems. The electrostatic force provides a non-linear actuation, while AO systems are based on linear matrices operations. We have successfully developed a dedicated 14-bit electronics in order to "linearize" the actuation. Actual location of the actuator versus expected location of the actuator is obtained with a standard deviation of 21 nm. Comparison with FEM models shows very good agreement, and design of a complete polymer-based MDM has been done.