Nanolaminate Mirrors With Integral Figure-Control Actuators

A report discusses the development of thin-shell curved mirrors comprised of metallic multilayer nanolaminate substrates that contain integral inplane actuators for controlling surface figure with micron-level precision. These mirrors, intended for incorporation into scientific imaging systems, would have areal mass densities of <2 kg/m². The development involves the combination of emerging disciplines of nanolayer composite materials, electroactive materials, and mathematical modeling for the understanding and controlling elastic deformations of thin-shell structures. Nanolaminates constitute a relatively new class of materials that can approach theoretical limits of stiffness and strength. The report details the mathematical-modeling aspect of the development with a brief discussion of experiments on nanolaminate specimens.