Active and adaptive CFRP mirror using MFC piezoeletric actuator for thermal deformation and atmospheric aberration correction
Year: 2020
Type: conference-paper
Abstract: Large precision composite mirrors for space missions and telescopes can be heavy, massive and expensive to fabricate. In this work, the mass of the mirrors is reduced by using space approved carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) material and employing micro-fiber composite (MFC) actuators for aberration correction and phase manipulation in an active/adaptive optical mirror system. The carbon fiber mirror is fabricated with 16 layers of prepreg composite MTM44- 1/IMS65 carbon fiber and one layer of polishable resin. The layers are cured under pressure in an autoclave machine in a pressure and temperature-controlled environment. 2 different piezoelectric actuators, Push actuators and MFC actuators, are tested and the phase shift, form factor and surface deformation due to the active actuators are compared. Push actuators are the most common means of active optics. CFRP structure and surface deformation after actuator’s effect are investigated theoretically using finite element analysis with the aid of COMSOL software and by optical experiments.
DOI: 10.1117/12.2541341
Institutions: University College London, Wrexham University
Language: English
Subfield: Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W3000570908