NGST Cryogenic Deformable Mirror Demonstrator

Xinetics, Inc.

Devens, MA

Designed, assembled, and tested cryogenically active deformable mirrors specific to the needs of the NGST. Developed a cofired actuator process specific to company’s cryogenic electroceramic. Presently, building a cryogenically active 349-ch engineering model DM using cofired cryogenic actuators and designing a cryogenically active high-density modular mirror.

• Developed an electrostrictive electroceramic formulation with stroke capabilities between 35 and 65K, specific to the needs of Next-Generation Space Telescope (NGST).
• Developed a piezoelectric electroceramic formulation with stroke capabilities between 35 and 375K.
• Designed and built two cryogenic 37-channel (ch) deformable mirrors (DM) using cut & bond cryogenically active actuators.
• Designed and built a cryogenic 349-ch engineering model DM using cut & bond actuators (maintaining a 7mm actuator spacing).
• Developed a cofired actuator technology specific to the cryogenically active electroceramic formulation.
• Designed and built a cryogenic testing chamber capable of measuring DMs up to 15 inches in diameter.
• Successfully cycled the 37-ch DM to 35K, transitioning lessons learned to the 349-ch cryogenic DM with cofired actuators presently being assembled.
• Using one of the cryogenic deformable mirrors, possible mirror figure control was demonstrated at 50K.

• Will market cryogenic actuator stacks, positioners, and stages using cofired and cut & bond assembly technology.
• Will market deformable mirrors for cryogenic applications.

• Deformable mirror for the NGST.
• DM for satellite surveillance systems, general amateur and professional observatory use at all nighttime temperatures without special thermal control.
• Cryogenic actuators for precision alignment of devices in thermal vacuum chambers at all temperatures.
• Enhanced optical stability of cryogenic structures using the new generation electroceramic to provide subnanometer control.

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