Abstract: The invention relates to a bimorph mirror presenting first and second layers (1, 2) of piezoelectric ceramic together with at least one electrode enabling at least one curvature of the mirror to be varied as a function of at least one electrical voltage applied to the piezoelectric ceramics. The mirror of the invention is characterized in that the first and second layers (1, 2) are separated by a central core (5) of material such as glass or silica, forming a semirigid beam.

Abstract: The invention relates to a deformable system comprising a part of a rectangular block shape, such as a beam, coupled to an actuator enabling the part to be deformed by generating curvature in the length direction, the system being characterized in that said part presents a main portion to be deformed, which main portion carries projections at its ends such that, in longitudinal section, the part presents an elongate U-shape, and in that the actuator presents levers coming to bear against said projections in order to transmit thereto a force suitable for producing deformation of the part.

Abstract: A surface polishing method in which a workpiece having at least one surface for polishing is set into rotation and has said surface pressed against a polishing element that is driven with motion in rotation or in translation, wherein said surface of the workpiece presents points that are situated outside a circumference of center coinciding with the center of rotation of the workpiece and traveling, during one revolution of said workpiece, along a path comprising first and second portions, with the rate of polishing over said second portion being smaller than over said first portion, in such a manner as to compensate for an over-polishing effect that occurs on the edge of said workpiece over said first portion of the path.

Abstract: The invention relates to a deformable system comprising a part (P) of rectangular block shape, such as a beam, coupled to an actuator enabling the part to be deformed by generating curvature in the length direction, the system being characterized in that said part (P) presents a main portion (10) to be deformed, which main portion carries projections (11, 12) at its ends such that, in longitudinal section, the part (P) presents an elongate U-shape, and in that the actuator (20) presents levers (30, 40) coming to bear against said projections (11, 12) in order to transmit thereto a force suitable for producing deformation of the part (P).

Abstract: A surface polishing method in which a workpiece having at least one surface for polishing is set into rotation and has said surface pressed against a polishing element that is driven with motion in rotation or in translation, wherein said surface of the workpiece presents points that are situated outside a circumference of center coinciding with the center of rotation of the workpiece and traveling, during one revolution of said workpiece, along a path comprising first and second portions, with the rate of polishing over said second portion being smaller than over said first portion, in such a manner as to compensate for an over-polishing effect that occurs on the edge of said workpiece over said first portion of the path.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of finishing polishing a surface using a polishing element and an abrasive, the method implementing the following steps: (a) prior to said polishing, sticking the polishing element in permanent manner on a support of deformable material; (b) applying pressure on the deformable support once the polishing element is in contact with the surface to be polished so that the polishing element is shaped to match an outline of said surface; and (c) performing finishing polishing using the polishing element shaped in this way.

Abstract: A method of polishing at least one surface of a silicon-based part made of SiO2, of SiC, of glass, of vitro-ceramic, or of quartz, the method comprising: a) a pre-polishing stage implementing at least one pre-polishing element and an abrasive, to confer a first roughness to said surface; b) a polishing stage implementing at least one polishing element and a liquid containing a polishing abrasive to confer to said surface a second roughness that is smaller than the first roughness; the method comprising: c) a finishing stage by soft abrasion implementing at least one finishing element, in particular a felt, and a soft abrasive, to remove a surface layer of sufficient thickness to improve the flux strength of the part.