Abstract: A lightweight deformable mirror suitable for space applications is disclosed in which a plurality of electrically-operated electrodistortive actuators may be used to selectively deform the mirror's reflecting surface. The actuators are sandwiched between a pair of thin sheets of glass with the surface of one sheet finished to form the mirror's reflecting surface. By selectively energizing one or more of the actuators, the mirror surface can be deformed to correct aberrations in optical wavefronts impinging on the mirror or to encode signals into wavefronts projected onto the mirror surface. Electrical connections to the actuators may be made through printed circuit connections which are contained on the bottom sheet of the deformable mirror.

Abstract: A novel actuator for controlling the position of a mirror segment of a segmented mirror assembly and for isolating the segment from vibration is described, which comprises, a movable control member operatively interconnecting the segment and support structure for the mirror assembly; an actuator assembly, which may comprise an electrically controlled magnet and coil, operatively attached to the control member and responsive to an input signal, for moving the control member to selectively position the mirror segment relative to the support structure; a force amplifier connected to one or both ends of the control member for amplifying the force exerted on the control member, and which may be in the form of a pair of cooperating fluid filled bellows of different sizes coaxially disposed at one or both ends of the control member so that compression of the smaller bellows communicating with the larger bellows results in an amplification of the force imposed on the control member; a position sensor for sensing the