Cryogenic Deformable Mirrors, two 37-ch and one 349-ch.

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.

INNOVATION

Xintics Inc.Devens, MA

SmallBusinessInnovation Research

GOVERNMENT/SCIENCE 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.

Marshall Space Flight CenterSubtopic: 11.03, Adapt. Optics Correction System TechnologyApril 2001 - SS-8-047

NGST Cryogenic Deformable Mirror Demonstrator

ACCOMPLISHMENTS 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.

COMMERCIALIZATION Will market cryogenic actuator stacks, positioners, and stages using cofired and cut

& bond assembly technology.

Will market deformable mirrors for cryogenic applications.Contacts: MSFC, Tom Knight; 256-544-5353

Xinetics Inc., M.L. Mulvihill; 978-772-0352 x2101996 Phase II; NAS8-98073