Karl N Schrader

US Patent:

7649691, Jan 19, 2010

Filed:

Jun 20, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/143262

Inventors:

Steven F. Griffin - Albuquerque NM, US
Arturo A. Jacobs - Edgewood NM, US
Karl N. Schrader - Albuquerque NM, US

Assignee:

The Boeing Company - Chicago IL

International Classification:

G02B 3/00

US Classification:

359642

Abstract:

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.

US Patent:

20080302948, Dec 11, 2008

Filed:

Jun 8, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/760562

Inventors:

Karl N. Schrader - Albuquerque NM, US
Steven F. Griffin - Albuquerque NM, US
David J. Bossert - Albuquerque NM, US
Garry R. Marions - Albuquerque NM, US

International Classification:

G01J 1/20
B29C 65/54

US Classification:

2502019, 1563806

Abstract:

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.