Optical system mirror deformation control unit, used e.g. for astronomical telescope

摘要

The unit consists of a detector (14) which analyses the front of a wave passing through the optical system and reflected by the by the front face (18) of the mirror (12) and which transmits to a calculation unit (16) information related to the distortion of the wave front. The calculation unit controls an actuator (20) in the form of a linear electromagnetic motor which acts on the mirror through at least one foot (22) fixed to its rear face to produce a localised deformation of the mirror and correct its distortion. The foot has a rigidity which is weak in relation to the mirror, e.g. a hundred or a thousand times lower, and is designed to apply a predetermined effort to the mirror, while the greatest dimension of the foot's surface in contact with the mirror is greater than the mirror's thickness.