Ferrofluid-based deformable mirrors: a new approach to adaptive optics using liquid mirrors

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

doi:10.1117/12.459065

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7 February 2003 Ferrofluid-based deformable mirrors: a new approach to adaptive optics using liquid mirrors

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

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Proceedings Volume 4839, Adaptive Optical System Technologies II; (2003) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.459065
Event: Astronomical Telescopes and Instrumentation, 2002, Waikoloa, Hawai'i, United States

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.

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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., and Helene Yockell-Lelievre "Ferrofluid-based deformable mirrors: a new approach to adaptive optics using liquid mirrors", Proc. SPIE 4839, Adaptive Optical System Technologies II, (7 February 2003); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.459065

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