Deformable curvature mirror with unipolar-wiring
View Patent ↗A deformable curvature mirror capable of controlled deformation by applying unipolar electrical voltages to electrode segments on the back of the mirror. Two plates of an electro-restrictive material, such as PZT or PMN, are jointed together. One plate has a pattern of a plurality of electrode segments on the outer surface with each electrode segment having a separate electrical terminal for applying a variable unipolar electrical voltage thereto for causing variable expansion of the plate and thereby selectively deforming that plate and, in turn, the deformable curvature mirror.
1. A deformable curvature mirror capable of controlled deformation by applying electrical voltages, comprising:
a first plate of an electro-restrictive material with an outer surface and an inner surface;
a second plate of an electro-restrictive material with an outer surface and an inner surface,
the inner surface of the second plate connected to the inner surface of the first plate;
a mirrored surface connected to the outer surface of the first plate;
a first conductive layer between the inner surface of the first plate and the inner surface of the second plate;
a pattern comprising a first plurality of electrode segments connected to the outer surface of the second plate;
a first plurality of unipolar voltage sources for applying variable unipolar electrical voltages to the first plurality of electrode segments; and
a second unipolar voltage source connected to the first conductive layer for applying a variable unipolar electrical voltage to the first conductive layer.
2. The mirror of claim 1 , further comprising a second conductive layer between the outer surface of the first plate and the mirrored surface, the second conductive layer being connected to electrical ground.
3. The mirror of claim 2 , further comprising a controller for controlling the first plurality of unipolar voltage sources and the second unipolar voltage source.
4. The mirror of claim 3 , wherein the first plate has a polarity, the second plate has a polarity, and the controller controls the first plurality of unipolar voltage sources and the second unipolar voltage source so that polarities of the voltages across the first and second plates are in the same direction as the polarities of the first and second plates.
5. A deformable curvature mirror capable of controlled deformation by applying electrical voltages, comprising:
a first plate of an electro-restrictive material with an outer surface and an inner surface;
a second plate of an electro-restrictive material with an outer surface and an inner surface,
the inner surface of the second plate connected to the inner surface of the first plate;
a mirrored surface connected to the outer surface of the first plate;
a pattern comprising a first plurality of electrode segments connected to the outer surface of the second plate;
a first plurality of unipolar voltage sources for applying variable unipolar electrical voltages to the first plurality of electrode segments; and
a first conductive layer between the outer surface of the first plate and the mirrored surface.
6. The mirror of claim 5 , wherein the first conductive layer is connected to electrical ground.
7. A deformable curvature mirror capable of controlled deformation by applying electrical voltages, comprising:
a first plate of an electro-restrictive material with an outer surface and an inner surface;
a second plate of an electro-restrictive material with an outer surface and an inner surface,
the inner surface of the second plate connected to the inner surface of the first plate;
a mirrored surface connected to the outer surface of the first plate;
a pattern comprising a first plurality of electrode segments connected to the outer surface of the second plate;
a first plurality of unipolar voltage sources for applying variable unipolar electrical voltages to the first plurality of electrode segments; and
a second plurality of electrode segments between the inner surface of the first plate and the inner surface of the second plate with electrical terminals for applying variable unipolar voltages to the second plurality of electrode segments.
8. The mirror according to claim 7 , further comprising a first conductive layer between the inner surface of the first plate and the inner surface of the second plate, wherein the second plurality of electrode segments are arranged in an outer ring surrounding and separate from the first conductive layer.
9. A deformable curvature mirror capable of controlled deformation by applying electrical voltages, comprising:
a first plate of an electro-restrictive material with an outer surface, an inner surface, and having a polarity;
a second plate of an electro-restrictive material with an outer surface, an inner surface, and having a polarity;
a first conductive layer between and connected to the inner surface of the first plate and the inner surface of the second plate;
a mirror surface connected to the outer surface of the second plate and having an electrical terminal for applying a unipolar electrical voltage thereto;
a second conductive layer connected to the outer surface of the second plate between the second plate and the mirror surface and connected to electrical ground; and
a pattern of a first plurality of conductive electrode segments on the outer surface of the first plate, each of the conductive electrode segments having a separate electrical terminal for applying a variable unipolar electrical voltage thereto for selectively deforming the first plate and, in turn, the curvature of the mirror.
10. The mirror according to claim 9 , wherein the respective polarities of the first and second plates are oriented in the same direction.