The Boeing Company

Karl N Schrader

Steven Fulton Griffin

David Bossert

Arturo A Jacobs

Garry R Marions

Systems and methods according to one or more embodiments are disclosed to provide a dynamic variable shape optical element for wavefront correction. In an embodiment, a variable shape optical element assembly includes an optical element having a front surface and a back surface with specified curvature characteristics. The variable shape optical element assembly also includes back knife edges having a designated shape disposed on the back surface of the optical element and front knife edges having a designated shape disposed on the front surface of the optical element. The variable shape optical element assembly further includes a mechanical arrangement adapted to apply a dynamic mechanical force to create the specified curvature characteristics.

Dynamic variable shape optical element

A laser beam correction system and related methods of use and manufacture are provided. In one example, a laser beam correction system includes a mirror having a first surface and a second surface. An actuator comprising a piezoelectric ceramic disk and a plurality of conductive electrodes on substantially opposing sides of the disk is bonded to the second surface of the mirror. The actuator includes an aperture in a center portion. A wave-front sensor is adapted to measure optical wave-front characteristics of a laser beam received by the mirror and provide electronic signals corresponding to the wave-front characteristics.

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Albuquerque, NM, United States of America

Karl N Schrader