Semipassive bimorph flexible mirrors for atmospheric adaptive optics applications

Abstract

A semipassive bimorph mirror is considered as the most promising corrector for low-order and at the same time low-cost atmo- spheric adaptive optical systems. Theoretical and experimental results of the response functions study are presented. A simple response function histeresis compensation method is suggested. The efficiency of correct- ing the first eight Zernike polynomials with a 17-electrode bimorph mirror is given. It is shown that such a corrector can be successfully used to compensate turbulence with the Kolmogorov spectrum. © 1996 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers.