Pixelized Device Control

We propose to build a demonstration unit of an entirely new optics and instruments technology for space applications. Characteristics are far lower (1/10th to 1/100th) cost, larger area, lower areal density (<1/10), and higher device density count (>4') compared to current state-of-the-art technology. The demonstration focus is 20cm ? 25cm deformable (secondary or tertiary) mirrors where the ultracompact adaptive optic is achieved by a combination of the ultralightweight advanced pixelized device control system (developed and demonstrated by QorTek during Phase I) and the super-thin, super-smooth composite mirror technology (developed by Composite Mirror Applications, Inc). The conclusion of Phase II will be a product consisting of a 20cm diameter circular adaptive mirror. The mirror will incorporate a circular matrix array of 488 active (induced strain) elements. Targeted application is toward high data rate optical communications systems (NASA, DoD) and high precision space telescopes (NASA).