Active Controlled Membrane Mirrors with Shape Memory

"The increasing demand for large aperture imaging and High Energy Laser (HEL) space-based systems has led to a technology push for light-weight, deployable primary mirrors. The use of a thin, space-rated, polymer membrane material as a primary mirror is apossible solution for this problem. SRS has developed processes to produce membranes with a very precise optical quality surface with very low areal density. Incorporation of Shape Memory Alloys (SMA) into an optical quality membrane will then providethe required energy necessary for deployment after launch. Using this process a precision optical shape can be formed using an SMA/Membrane material then a thermal step allows for efficient packaging. Another thermal step then lets the material recoverits initial shape. The use of a non-contact magnetic actuation system would then allow for final shape optimization. Under this effort feasibility demonstrations will be conducted on a membrane/SMA composite for use as a deployable mirror, and anon-contact magnetic actuator system. The successful demonstration of the proposed concept of a Polymer Membrane/Shape Memory Alloy material to perform as a deployable primary mirror will provide an immediate impact on many current and future USAF, NASA,and other DoD space-based large aperture imaging or High Energy Laser (HEL) applications. Many require multi-meter apertures capable of being deployed after launch. The development of this tec