Ferrofluid-based deformable mirrors: a new approach to adaptive optics using liquid mirrors
Year: 2003
Type: conference-paper
Abstract: The trend towards ever larger telescopes and more advanced adaptive optics systems is driving the need for deformable mirrors with a large number of low cost actuators. Liquid mirrors have long been recognized a potential low cost alternative to conventional solid mirrors. By using a water or oil based ferrofluid we are able to benefit from a stronger magnetic response than is found in magnetic liquid metal amalgams and avoid the difficulty of passing a uniform current through a liquid. Depositing a thin silver colloid known as a metal liquid like film (MELLF) on the ferrofluid surface solves the problem of low reflectivity of pure ferrofluids. This combination provides a liquid optical surface that can be precisely shaped in a magnetic field. We present experimental results obtained with a prototype deformable liquid mirror based on this combination.
DOI: 10.1117/12.459065
Authors: Phil R. Laird, R. Bergamasco, Vincent Berube, Ermanno F. Borra, Julie Gingras, Anna-Marie R. Ritcey, Myriam Rioux, Nathalie Robitaille, Simon Thibault, L. Vieira da Silva, Jr., Helene Yockell-Lelievre
Institutions: Université Laval, Institut National d'Optique
Language: English
Subfield: Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W1978225393