MEMS Deformable Mirrors for Space-Based High-Contrast Imaging.
MEMS deformable mirrors
exoplanet direct imaging
space telescope technology
wavefront control
Journal
Micromachines
ISSN: 2072-666X
Titre abrégé: Micromachines (Basel)
Pays: Switzerland
ID NLM: 101640903
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
31 May 2019
31 May 2019
Historique:
received:
17
04
2019
revised:
25
05
2019
accepted:
27
05
2019
entrez:
5
6
2019
pubmed:
5
6
2019
medline:
5
6
2019
Statut:
epublish
Résumé
Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) Deformable Mirrors (DMs) enable precise wavefront control for optical systems. This technology can be used to meet the extreme wavefront control requirements for high contrast imaging of exoplanets with coronagraph instruments. MEMS DM technology is being demonstrated and developed in preparation for future exoplanet high contrast imaging space telescopes, including the Wide Field Infrared Survey Telescope (WFIRST) mission which supported the development of a 2040 actuator MEMS DM. In this paper, we discuss ground testing results and several projects which demonstrate the operation of MEMS DMs in the space environment. The missions include the Planet Imaging Concept Testbed Using a Recoverable Experiment (PICTURE) sounding rocket (launched 2011), the Planet Imaging Coronagraphic Technology Using a Reconfigurable Experimental Base (PICTURE-B) sounding rocket (launched 2015), the Planetary Imaging Concept Testbed Using a Recoverable Experiment - Coronagraph (PICTURE-C) high altitude balloon (expected launch 2019), the High Contrast Imaging Balloon System (HiCIBaS) high altitude balloon (launched 2018), and the Deformable Mirror Demonstration Mission (DeMi) CubeSat mission (expected launch late 2019). We summarize results from the previously flown missions and objectives for the missions that are next on the pad. PICTURE had technical difficulties with the sounding rocket telemetry system. PICTURE-B demonstrated functionality at >100 km altitude after the payload experienced 12-g RMS (Vehicle Level 2) test and sounding rocket launch loads. The PICTURE-C balloon aims to demonstrate 10 - 7 contrast using a vector vortex coronagraph, image plane wavefront sensor, and a 952 actuator MEMS DM. The HiClBaS flight experienced a DM cabling issue, but the 37-segment hexagonal piston-tip-tilt DM is operational post-flight. The DeMi mission aims to demonstrate wavefront control to a precision of less than 100 nm RMS in space with a 140 actuator MEMS DM.
Identifiants
pubmed: 31159209
pii: mi10060366
doi: 10.3390/mi10060366
pmc: PMC6630899
pii:
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Subventions
Organisme : National Aeronautics and Space Administration
ID : 80NSSC18K1182
Références
Opt Lett. 2006 Feb 1;31(3):293-5
pubmed: 16480186
Nature. 2007 Apr 12;446(7137):771-3
pubmed: 17429394
Opt Express. 2001 Jan 1;8(1):17-26
pubmed: 19417781
Opt Express. 2006 Jun 12;14(12):5558-70
pubmed: 19516724
Opt Express. 2006 Oct 30;14(22):10132-8
pubmed: 19529409
Appl Opt. 2009 Nov 10;48(32):6296-312
pubmed: 19904331
Appl Opt. 1995 Jun 1;34(16):2968-72
pubmed: 21052450
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2014 Sep 2;111(35):12661-6
pubmed: 24821792
Appl Opt. 2017 Aug 10;56(23):6694-6708
pubmed: 29047964