There are several commercial and government applications that can take advantage of ultra-low power drivers for high-resolution MEMS DMs. The primary application is space-based adaptive optics, where ultra-low power and compact size make the proposed driver indispensible. A universal benefit is reduced connections, which leads to more compact and less costly electronics. In addition, the following are specific targeted applications and how they are best suited for this development. Other targeted applications include: Astronomy/surveillance: BMC has had success developing electronics for arrays up to 4096 elements for the Gemini Planet Imager. In that and other astronomical applications, especially multi-object-adaptive optics, the availability of compact drivers will simplify wavefront control system integration substantially. Optical communication: In long-range secure communication, BMC MEMS DMs have found substantial commercial demand that has resulted in numerous system sales. Through the use of multiplexing, the electrical connections can be reduced, making the systems more compact and less costly. Biological imaging /vision science: For the imaging field, a large impediment to adding adaptive optics to optical instruments is the cost of the mirror technology and associated electronics. By reducing the cost of the electronics, cost-effective adaptive optics-enabled solutions will become more attractive to customers.
MEMS DMs can be used for correction of quasi-static aberrations in primary optics due to manufacturing and thermal variations in space based telescopes. This could be used in a number of NASAs coronagraph missions (e.g. TPC-C) or any of space telescope. With the utilization of the proposed compact, low-power multiplexed drive electronics, the power consumption and mass of the adaptive optics system could be greatly reduce.
More »