Abstract: A mirror includes a carrier, a reflecting layer disposed above a main face of the carrier, and a transparent layer disposed above the reflective layer. The carrier includes a base body, and the base body includes one or more of a material comprising a density in a range from 0.1 to 1.0 g/cm3, a porous material, a foamed material, a material comprising a structure containing closed cells, a material comprising a honeycomb structure, or a structure containing carbon fibers.

Abstract: The present application discloses a curved glass housing. The curved glass housing includes a bottom wall and an annular side wall extending arcuately from an edge of the bottom wall, and the side wall and the bottom wall cooperatively form a receiving cavity having an opening. A texture structure is defined on the bottom wall or the side wall. The texture structure comprises a dent defined on the bottom wall or the side wall and towards the receiving cavity, or the texture structure comprises a protrusion defined on the bottom wall or the side wall and away from the receiving cavity. A mobile terminal using the curved glass housing is also provided.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a mirror blank comprises: providing a primary piece of glass comprising a primary planar surface and a backing piece of glass comprising a backing planar surface; assembling a mirror blank assembly, wherein assembling the mirror blank assembly comprises interposing a plurality of glass splines between the primary glass and the backing glass. Interposing the plurality of glass splines comprises: for each glass spline, respectively abutting first and second opposed surfaces of the glass spline against the primary planar surface of the primary glass and against the backing planar surface of the backing glass. The mirror blank assembly is then heated to fuse the interposed glass splines to the primary glass and the backing glass while the primary glass and the secondary glass remain spaced apart from one another by the interposed glass splines to thereby provide the mirror blank.

Abstract: A display assembly (515) includes: (a) an image display system (10) which includes an array of pixels (120) and (b) an array of pixel lenses (115). The array of pixel lenses has each lens positioned to collimate or substantially collimate light from a corresponding single pixel of the array of pixels. The display assembly (515) is used in a head-mounted display apparatus (500) which includes a frame (510) to support the display assembly (515) a desired distance from a user's eyes. The head-mounted display apparatus may also include a beam splitter (520) to reflect images from the display assembly (515) to the user's eyes. The head-mounted display apparatus may provide a wide field of view to the user and may be of the augmented-reality or immersive type.

Abstract: A shock wave applicator includes a reflector and a movable shockwave-generating electrode disposed in the reflector at a first focal point. The reflector is at least a portion of an ellipsoidal shape having a long and small axis with the first focal point and a second focal point on the long axis, and the reflector terminates at an edge defining a membrane-covered aperture on a plane intersecting the small axis and coincident with the second focal point.

Abstract: An optical element of an embodiment includes an optical element made of a material transparent to light, the optical element including: a back surface facing the front surface; and a connection surface. The front surface includes a recessed surface in a region facing the connection surface. The recessed surface has a point closest to the connection surface as a closest point, and has a first singular point other than the closest point.

Abstract: The invention relates to a reflective surface substantially perpendicular to a vector field described by the equation: W(x,y,z)=T(proj(x,v,z))?(x,v,z)+proj(x,v,z)?(x,v,z)?T(proj(x,y,z))?(x,y,z)? ?proj(x,y,z)?(x,y,z)? and a method for forming the reflective surface. The reflective surface is capable of providing a non-reversed, substantially undistorted direct reflection.

Abstract: A monolithic substrate of glass or glass ceramics and methods for manufacturing are provided, where the substrate has a lightweight structure. The lightweight structure includes recesses that are delimited by webs, such webs forming tetragonal or four-corner-shaped pockets. Due to the lightweight structure, the weight of the substrate can be significantly reduced, and at the same time a high rigidity can be ensured. The substrate can be used as a mirror support or a mirror and can be employed terrestrially and/or extra-terrestrially.

Abstract: A solar light collecting mirror includes a reflective section which is elastically deformable, and a frame which is elastically deformable and configured to support the reflective section. A central portion of the reflective section is positionally fixed in X and Y directions of the reflective section. A relative position in a Z direction between the central portion of the reflective section and a peripheral portion of the reflective section is changeable. The peripheral portion of the reflective section is not positionally fixed in the X and Y directions. The frame includes warp members which radially extend from a position corresponding to the central portion of the reflective section. And the reflective section is configured to deform elastically together with the frame so as to change the relative position in the Z direction between the central portion and the peripheral portion, whereby a concave mirror structure is obtained.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for assembling two or more mirror plate stacks into a rigid unit in turn comprising a plurality of mirror plates and a base plate onto which the plurality of mirror plates are stacked. To improve assembly accuracy of the mirror plates, a base plate is provided with a first mirror plate mounted thereto, a handling tool is provided with a second mirror plate and a spacer is provided to a first surface of the second mirror plate and positioned to align the second mirror plate with the first mirror plate. This alignment is based on a measured position and shape of the first mirror plate to compensate for a deviation from a pre-defined position and shape. The plates are then attached to each other with the spacer; the handling tool is removed and the position and shape of the second mirror plate is measured.

Abstract: The magnifying apparatus is based on two dimensional arrays of micro magnifying modules (MMMs) positioned along a plane perpendicular to the axis of the magnifying apparatus. In addition, the structure may include a two dimensional array of micro beam multipliers (MBMs) to improve the quality of the magnified image. The micro beam multipliers are positioned along a plane parallel to the array of micro magnifying modules. The structure also may include a two dimensional array of ray angle adjusters (RAAs) to extend the view angle. The ray angle adjusters are positioned along a plane parallel to the array of micro magnifying modules. The array of micro magnifying modules, with or without the micro beam multipliers and/or ray angle adjusters, may be constructed as a thin plate with a thickness of a few millimeters, through which the object is viewed.

Abstract: A mirror includes a first layer including reflective material to reflect incident light, an adhesive backing disposed at a rear of the first layer, a second layer connected to the adhesive backing and including one or more layers of a cloth or a non woven fiber matrix and polymer composite to encompass the cloth other non woven fiber matrix and a third layer disposed at a rear of the second layer and including polystyrene foam spheres encompassed within a polymer matrix.

Abstract: A monolithic substrate of glass or glass ceramics and methods for manufacturing are provided, where the substrate has a lightweight structure. The lightweight structure includes recesses that are delimited by webs, such webs forming tetragonal or four-corner-shaped pockets. Due to the lightweight structure, the weight of the substrate can be significantly reduced, and at the same time a high rigidity can be ensured. The substrate can be used as a mirror support or a mirror and can be employed terrestrially and/or extra-terrestrially.

Abstract: An object is to provide a solar ray lighting device which is capable of reducing the blocking and the shadowing of beams of light reflected by heliostats and which is capable of fixing firmly and stably a heavy and large-sized center reflector. In a beam-down type solar ray lighting device, at least three supporting blocks are assembled together to form a pyramidal shape. In addition, an outer circumferential edge of the center reflector is fixed to the supporting posts so that the outer circumferential edge of the center reflector can internally touch the supporting posts.

Abstract: A planar light source device is provided which has high light extraction efficiency and in which a change in color tone at different viewing angles is small. The planar light source device includes, on a light emitting surface, a concavo-convex structure layer made of a resin composition. In this planar light source device, the concavo-convex structure layer has a cone, pyramid, or prism shape, and the resin composition contains a transparent resin and particles. In particular, in the planar light source device, variations in any of x- and y-chromaticity coordinates in any directions in a hemisphere on the light emitting surface are within ±0.1, the diameter of the particle is 10 ?m or less, and the amount of the particles is 1 to 40 wt % based on the total amount of the resin composition. In addition, the difference in refractive index between the particles and the transparent resin is 0.05 to 0.5.

Abstract: A mirror reflective element suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle includes a glass substrate and a principal reflector portion and an auxiliary wide angle curved portion. The auxiliary wide angle curved portion has a curved recess established at a region of the rear surface of the glass substrate by at least one of grinding and ablating. The curved recess may have a cross-dimension size that is in the range from about 30 millimeters to about 80 millimeters, and may have a radius of curvature that is in the range from about 200 millimeters to about 1,000 millimeters, and may have a maximum recess depth that is in the range from about 0.11 millimeters to about 4.04 millimeters.

Abstract: Reflector element (1) for a solar collector which comprises a not mechanically flexed monolithic glass pane (2) of heat treated glass which due to its enhanced resistance properties becomes self-supported without requiring the presence of any kind of frame member or device to maintain its shape at the normal utilization temperatures. The reflector element is substantially parabolic and can be provided with at least one bore (3) for a fixing element to fix the reflector element (1) to a supporting structure.

Abstract: A target presentation device comprises a concave mirror, a half mirror 3, and a movement device 4. The concave mirror 2 presents the virtual image of the image displayed on the image display device to the observer. The concave mirror is disposed such that the optical distance between the image display device and the concave mirror is set to be shorter than the focal point distance. The half mirror crosses and is inclined with the optical axis of the concave mirror. The optical axis passes through the observation position of the observer. The movement device moves the image display device to vary the image display device, whereby the optical distance is varied within the focus distance. The movement device moves the image display device to increase the virtual image's movement speed as the optical distance becomes long. Consequently, the fatigue of the focusing function of the observer is reduced.

Abstract: A mirror device includes a reflecting surface. The reflecting surface is arranged in a vicinity of a rear window of a vehicle. The reflecting surface includes a concave part in a longitudinal direction of the reflecting surface and a convex part in a lateral direction of the reflecting surface. A line passing through a center of a virtual circle defining the concave part is inclined relative to a virtual horizontal line extending in a vehicle width direction toward a side opposite to a driver seat on either right or left of the vehicle in the vehicle width direction.

Abstract: An image display device of the present invention comprises projectors, a reflecting mirror, a screen, an image signal processor which performs a distortion correction, and a base for supporting the projectors, the reflecting mirror, and the screen. The projectors, reflecting mirror, and screen are assembled in one to constitute a single moving unit, and the image display device further comprises a lifting device capable of moving the moving unit in a vertical direction with respect to the base.

Abstract: A light assembly (100) for directing light into a light guide utilizes a light source (120) comprising a linear array of light emitting diodes (140). The linear array has two opposed long sides (160, 180) equally disposed about a longitudinal axis (162) and two opposed short sides (200, 220) and is positioned in a mounting plane (240). The array has an optical plane (250) lying in a plane perpendicular to the mounting plane (240). A primary optic (260) having a reflecting surface (270) is associated therewith, the reflecting surface (270) having a parabolic cross-section and a focal point (280) and a bisector of parabolic cross-section (282) wherein the focal point (280) is disposed at one of the long sides (160, 180) of the array (140) and the bisector of parabolic cross-section (282) has an axis (283) that is tilted with respect to the optical plane (250). In a preferred embodiment, the axis (283) of the bisector of parabolic cross-section (282) is tilted about 8 degrees.

Abstract: A reflector for the lighting device and an illumination system of the projection apparatus are provided. The reflector comprises a first reflecting structure and a second reflecting structure disposed on the portion of the first reflecting structure. The reflecting surfaces of the first and second reflecting structures are formed with a distance therebetween. After the first portion of the light is reflected from the first reflecting surface and the second portion of the light is reflected from the second reflecting surface, the second portion of the light is adapted to remove the centrally dimmed area at the opening of the lighting device. Thus, the luminance performance can be improved.

Abstract: A spread primary reflector for a UV curing lamp is disclosed. The spread reflector employs a substrate that has been faceted. The facets may be produced by means of stamping, etching, or a combination of chemical-mechanical processes. The faceting randomizes the focusing effects of the primary reflector's elliptical curvature while maintaining a total directed energy output and hence a uniform irradiance of a work product. The reflector may be made of a stand-alone reflective material with a preformed faceting pattern, such as from a metal substrate and coated with an optical coating to tailor the reflective properties of the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A light-collecting device has a hollow at center. Three layers are sequentially pasted on and around the hollow. The device collects light efficiently with different materials of the layers. And the device has a long life of use, is environmentally friendly and is easily mass-produced.

Abstract: A vehicle mirror assembly having a housing and dome-type mirror lens. The lens has a first base footprint portion with a constant radius of curvature and a diameter, and a second base footprint portion comprised of an elliptical portion with a base major axis and a base minor axis. The mirror lens includes a first surface portion having a first surface radius and conforming to the first base footprint portion. The lens additionally includes a second surface portion conforming to the second base footprint portion. The second surface portion is comprised of a second surface major radius of curvature corresponding to a major surface axis and a second surface minor radius of curvature corresponding to a minor surface axis.

Abstract: A light pipe for an optical navigation system. The light pipe includes a collection surface, a collimation surface, and a reflective surface. The collection surface is to accept incident light into the light pipe from a light source. The collimation surface is to collimate the light and to direct the collimated light to a navigation plane for detection by a navigation sensor. The reflective surface is between the collection surface and the collimation surface and is to reflect the light along a reflective path as the light travels within the light pipe from the collection surface to the collimation surface. The reflective surface has a curved geometry oriented substantially along the path of travel of the light through the light pipe. The curved geometry of the reflective path facilitates convergence of the light with respect to a first axis.

Abstract: Optical devices for guiding illumination are provided each having a body of optical material with staircase or acutely angled ramp structures on its top surface for distributing light inputted from one end of the device from the front exit faces of such structures along certain angular orientations, while at least a substantial portion of the light is totally internally reflected within the body until distributed from such front exit faces. Optical devices are also provided each have a body of optical material having a bottom surface with acutely angled ramp structures and falling structures which alternate with each other, such that light is totally internally reflected within the device until reflected by such ramp structures along the bottom surface to exit the top surface of the device or transmitted through the ramp structures to an adjacent falling structure back into the device.

Abstract: A luminaire assembly generally includes a reflector having a center of symmetry and a lamp supported within the reflector, wherein the lamp is offset from the reflector center of symmetry, whereby light emitted from the lamp is reflected by the reflector in an asymmetric pattern. In a method of illuminating a roadway having traffic moving in a flow direction, a luminaire having a reflector and a lamp is mounted at a side of the roadway and light emitted from the lamp is reflected with the reflector whereby a greater portion of the reflected light is directed in the traffic flow direction than is directed against the traffic flow direction.

Abstract: The present invention provides a reflector having a light-diffusing property which suppresses inter-object reflection over a wide angle, and giving particularly high reflectance in an intended range of viewing angle; and to provide a reflection type liquid crystal display device using the same. The reflector includes a plurality of light-reflective concave portions. Each of the concave portions is formed so that an inclination angle (an angle between a plane tangential to a point on a concave surface and the surface of the base material) is maximum on a side portion of the curved surface, and so that the direction of the side portion having the maximum inclination angle is on a far side from a view point of an observer.

Abstract: A method for producing a mirror (10) from a titanium-based material by using the technique of ultraprecision machining. The mirror produced using this method has both a shape accuracy and a surface roughness in the submicrometer region. The mirror (10) is made from a titanium-based material having a shape accuracy and a surface roughness in the submicrometer region, whose basic shape (11) has a has a reflecting surface (12) having a surface roughness of less than 60 nm, and in particular of less than 30 nm.

Abstract: A parabolic primary mirror (10) has a concave specular surface (12) that is constructed and positioned to receive solar energy and focus it towards a focal point. A secondary mirror (14) having a convex specular surface (16) is constructed and positioned to receive focused solar energy from the primary mirror and focus it onto an annular receiver (18). The annular receiver (18) may include an annular array of optical elements (100) constructed to receive solar energy from the secondary specular surface (14) and focus it onto a ring of discreet areas. A ring of solar-to-electrical conversion units are positioned on the ring of discreet areas. A sun sensor that allows accurate solar tracking to keep mirror system aligned with the sun.

Abstract: A facet mirror (10) is provided with a number of mirror facets (11), in which the mirror facets (11) respectively have a spherical or conical facet body (17) with a reflecting surface (12). The side of the facet body (17) averted from the reflecting surface (12) is mounted in a bearing device (15).

Abstract: Embodiments include an apparatus, a medical device, a method and a system. The medical device includes an ellipsoidally shaped reflector having a first focus and a second focus. The ellipsoidally shaped reflector also provides a translational coupling of electromagnetic energy from the first focus to the second focus. The medical device also includes a controllable electromagnetic energy source aligned to emit a non-biologically emitted electromagnetic energy in a proximity to the first focus.

Abstract: An optical delay line for use with an optical source including input/output optics optically coupled to the optical source and a curved mirror with a reflective surface that is centered about an evolute curve of the delay line to retro-reflect light traveling along a delay line beam path tangent to the edge of the evolute curve. The input/output optics direct light from the optical source along the delay line beam path and direct delayed light from the delay line beam path out of the optical delay line along an output beam path. The input/output optics and/or the curved mirror rotate about the evolute curve at a selected angular speed. The reflective surface has a curvature based on a parametric curve that is calculated from the evolute curve such that the delay of the delay line varies according to a predetermined function as the input/output optics and/or the curved mirror rotate.

Abstract: The method of designing a reflective surface of a reflector in a vehicle lamp according to the present invention comprise (1) a segment creating step of sectioning a free curved surface and creating a plurality of segments having a plurality of vertexes, and (2) a curved surface generating step of deciding the light reflecting direction at each one of the plurality of vertexes, and generating curved surfaces to be assigned to the segments based on the reflecting direction for each one of the plurality of segments. The present invention provides a method of designing a reflective surface of a reflector in a vehicle lamp whereby the controllability of the luminous intensity distribution pattern is improved.

Abstract: An image display device includes a case with an opening, a luminous source image display displaying a first image, and a focusing element. The focusing element is positioned within the case, and includes a concave mirror and a mirror supporter that supports the concave mirror. The mirror supporter includes a mirror cradle. The mirror screen is mounted on the arms of the mirror cradle. The mirror cradle includes a buffering pad at the tip of each arm, and the buffering pad includes adhesive parts on both surfaces. The tip of the arms of the mirror cradle is attached to the back of the mirror screen, and the attachment is achieved with a surface contact. The mounting holes on the top and bottom plates are oblong. The oblong mounting holes are adapted to adjust the mounting position of the mirror screen of the image display device.

Abstract: An improved structure and method for building large-aperture lightweight deformable mirrors uses a hinged substrate. In addition to reduced weight, the approach provides rigidity to the mirror, which is necessary for the accurate response to actuator commands and tolerance to disturbances. No stresses are induced in the substrate due to the commanded deformation of the substrate, regardless of the magnitude of the deformation. Any stresses in the substrate structure are those induced due to forces in the face sheet, which are likely to be small using advanced nano-laminate and membrane face sheet technologies. The magnitude of the deformation (dynamic range) is limited only by the actuator stroke, and not by the stresses induced in the substrate. The design therefore accommodates small-force, large-stroke actuators, as opposed to the current designs that use large-force, small-stroke actuators.

Abstract: A reflector having light diffusibility for suppressing a reflected image within a wide viewing angle range and having a particular brightness at a specific viewing angle range, and a reflective liquid crystal display device using the reflector, are provided. The reflector 1 comprises a plurality of light-reflective concave portions 3, which are formed on a surface S of a substrate, wherein each of the concave portions 3 is formed with a first curved surface A1 located at one peripheral portion S1 of the concave portion 3 and a second curved surface B1 located at the other peripheral portion S2 thereof, the deepest point D1 is located on the first curved surface A1, and the maximum value ?b1 of the absolute value of the second curved surface B1 to the surface S of the substrate is larger than that of the maximum value ?a1 of the absolute value of the first curved surface A1 to the surface S of the substrate.

Abstract: An image display device includes a case having an opening, a luminous source image display displaying a first image, a focusing element receiving light from the source image display and focusing the light to form a second image that is viewable through the opening of the case, and an image source providing image information to the source image display so that the source image display displays the first image. The focusing element has a concave mirror and a mirror supporter that supports the concave mirror. The perimeter of the concave mirror has at least one straight- cut portion that has a line contact with the mirror supporter. The image information provided by the image source is changed with user interaction.

Abstract: The lens embraces a bulk-shaped lens body identified by a top surface, a bottom surface and a contour surface, and a well-shaped concavity is implemented in the inside of the lens body, aligned from the bottom surface toward the top surface. The lens body has geometry such as bullet-shape or egg-shape. A ceiling surface of concavity implemented in the lens body serves as a first lens surface, the top surface of the lens body serves as the second lens surface, and inside of the concavity serves as a storing cavity of a light source or a photodetector.

Abstract: For example, the reflector according to the present invention is a reflector made of glass for a projector which is composed of amorphous glass whose thermal expansion coefficient is 30 to 45×10?7/° C. and includes a reflective surface for reflecting light emitted from a light source and an opening for inserting a light source bulb or a conductor to the light source bulb, in which the opening is smoothed by heat-treating the surface thereof after opening-drilling, thus mechanical damage is removed from the processed part.

Abstract: A coupling configuration for connecting an optical conductor to an opto-receiver has a parabolic mirror or a spherical mirror that reflects light emerging from the optical conductor onto a launching mirror through which the light is launched into the opto-receiver. Such a configuration is largely adjustment-free and therefore particularly suitable for the connection of single-mode fibers (SMF).

Abstract: An optical apparatus for producing chromatic dispersion. The apparatus includes a virtually imaged phased array (VIPA) generator, a mirror and a lens. The VIPA generator receives an input light at a respective wavelength and produces a corresponding collimated output light traveling from the VIPA generator in a direction determined by the wavelength of the input light, the output light thereby being spatially distinguishable from an output light produced for an input light at a different wavelength. The mirror has a cone shape, or a modified cone shape. The lens focuses the output light traveling from the VIPA generator onto the mirror so that the mirror reflects the output light. The reflected light is directed by the lens back to the VIPA generator. In this manner, the apparatus provides chromatic dispersion to the input light.

Abstract: An image projection system capable of projecting images to multiple screens or viewing surfaces. The system uses a moveable mirror to direct the projected images to the screens. The moveable mirror may work in concert with one or more fixed mirrors to reflect the projected images to screens in a variety of configurations relative to the projector.

Abstract: A single construct mirror within a mirror is provided for use in enhancing the safe operation of motor vehicles by eliminating “blind spots.” Such construct includes a secondary mirror formed within a primary mirror by the removal of or formation of a concave indentation on the rear surface of a generally flat sheet of glass, plastic or other suitable material. Such sheet may then be mirrored by silvering the rear surface including the concave indentation. The front reflective surfaces of both mirrors are generally flat and co-planar.

Abstract: Various configurations of a virtually imaged phased array (VIPA) generator in combination with a mirror to compensate for chromatic dispersion. A VIPA generator produces a light traveling from the VIPA generator. In some embodiments, a variable curvature mirror is positioned to reflect the light back to the VIPA generator. A rotation axis around which the mirror is rotated and a translation path for the rotation axis are provided, to change the curvature of the mirror where the output light is reflected. In other embodiments, a plurality of mirrors have different surface curvatures. A holder has a rotation axis and holds the plurality of mirrors equidistantly from the rotation axis. The holder is rotatable around the rotation axis to bring a different, respective mirror in position to reflect light produced by a VIPA generator back to the VIPA generator. In other embodiments, a rotating mirror is rotatable about a rotation axis to reflect light produced by a VIPA generator to a respective fixed mirror.

Abstract: An optical apparatus for producing chromatic dispersion. The apparatus includes a virtually imaged phased array (VIPA) generator, a mirror and a lens. The VIPA generator receives an input light at a respective wavelength and produces a corresponding collimated output light traveling from the VIPA generator in a direction determined by the wavelength of the input light, the output light thereby being spatially distinguishable from an output light produced for an input light at a different wavelength. The mirror has a cone shape, or a modified cone shape. The lens focuses the output light traveling from the VIPA generator onto the mirror so that the mirror reflects the output light. The reflected light is directed by the lens back to the VIPA generator. In this manner, the apparatus provides chromatic dispersion to the input light.

Abstract: A reflector and reflector-type LCD suppresses inter-object reflection over a wide angle, and provides particularly high reflectance in an intended range of viewing angle. The reflector includes a plurality of concave portions with an inclination angle (an angle between a plane tangential to a point on a concave surface and the surface of the base material) that is maximum on a side portion of the curved surface. The concave portions may also be formed such that an inner surface of each of the concave portions include a peripheral curved surface and a bottom curved surface are continuously connected to each other. The peripheral curved surface and the bottom curved surface are interposed partial spheres having different radii and non-collinear normal lines from the surface of each sphere.

Abstract: The invention provides an ultra-high numerical aperture imaging device (1) comprising two rotationally symmetric curved mirrors (11h, 12b), which can be used to achieve very high concentrations of light or other sorts of wave (or other sorts of physical entities that satisfy equivalent “ballistic” equations of motion) or can be used in reverse to form a beam that has a small angle spread, and which can be combined with a further plane, partially transparent mirror (if necessary with additional components to attenuate and rotate the polarisation of the waves involved), to create a device able to achieve a materially better resolution than that implied by the traditional Rayleigh resolution criterion. A detailed method for designing such a device is also disclosed.

Abstract: An improved structure and method for building large-aperture lightweight deformable mirrors uses a hinged substrate. In addition to reduced weight, the approach provides rigidity to the mirror, which is necessary for the accurate response to actuator commands and tolerance to disturbances. No stresses are induced in the substrate due to the commanded deformation of the substrate, regardless of the magnitude of the deformation. Any stresses in the substrate structure are those induced due to forces in the face sheet, which are likely to be small using advanced nano-laminate and membrane face sheet technologies. The magnitude of the deformation (dynamic range) is limited only by the actuator stroke, and not by the stresses induced in the substrate. The design therefore accommodates small-force, large-stroke actuators, as opposed to the current designs that use large-force, small-stroke actuators.