Abstract: A high-bandwidth deformable fast steering mirror (“HDFSM”) system, including an electromechanical fast steering mirror (“FSM”) apparatus, and a deformable mirror (“DM”) apparatus mounted on the electromechanical FSM apparatus. The DM apparatus further includes a DM substrate, a backplane assembly, a plurality of electrostrictive actuators in physical communication with and between the DM substrate and the backplane assembly, for deforming the DM substrate, and a plurality of strain gauges, each strain gauge mounted on one of the plurality of electrostrictive actuators, the plurality of strain gauges measuring individual positions of the plurality of electrostrictive actuators and transmitting the positions as actuator position signals. The high-bandwidth deformable FSM also includes a closed-loop control system, the control system controlling the electromechanical FSM apparatus and the DM apparatus based upon a command input and the actuator position signals.

Abstract: An improved transducer array includes a two-dimensional array of multilayer actuators, capable of producing very high displacement with low input voltage, integrally packaged with conditioning electronics. Preferred microcomposite actuators use multiple layers of stacked electrostrictive ceramics and conductive materials. The actuators are aligned in a two-dimensional array and can be integrated with the conditioning electronics in a variety of packaging systems. A preferred packaging system is a flexible high density interconnected multi-chip module which has the integrated circuit chips disposed in a substrate, interconnection layers disposed thereon and the multilayer composite actuators disposed on the surface of the interconnection structure. The actuators in this packaged array may be optionally addressed individually or in blocks, depending on the application intended.

Abstract: This invention relates to new ceramic piezoelectric compositions having superior electrical properties, processes for the preparation of the new piezoelectric composition and applications for the new compositions. Specifically, a solid solution composition of 85.5-87.5 molar percent lead zinc niobate, 9.5-9.7 molar percent lead titanate and 3-5 molar percent of a barium titanate dopant or strontium titanate dopant has exhibited desirable electrical properties. This specific composition is well suited for use in a 3-1 connectivity composite, which can be used as a hydrophone. These compositions may be prepared by oxide sintering techniques utilizing extremely high purity materials, or alternatively, by a sol gel process.

Abstract: The invention relates to new ceramic electrostrictive compositions having superior electrical properties, a process for the preparation of the new electrostrictive compositions and applications for the new compositions. Specifically, a solid solution composition of lead magnesium niobate-lead titanate - (barium titanate or stronium titanate) has exhibited desirable electrostrictive properties. This composition shows a diminished dependence of dielectric constant on temperature.

Abstract: This invention relates to new ceramic electrostrictive compositions having superior electrical properties, a process for the preparation of the new electrostrictive compositions and applications for the new compositions. Specifically, a solid solution composition of lead magnesium niobate-lead titanate--(barium titanate or stronium titanate) has exhibited desirable electrostrictive properties. This composition shows a diminished dependence of dielectric constant on temperature.

Abstract: A sol-gel method is disclosed for the production of polycrystalline strontium barium niobate (SBN) materials. Ceramic SBN materials produced in accordance with this method possess favorable ferroelectric properties, and are useful for electro-optic applications.