MIT has created a technology for the production of low-cost high-precision optical systems

Engineers at MIT have developed a technology to change the shape of thin plate materials in such a way that

Using the new method, it is possible to bend surfaces into precise and complex shapes that do not affect theon the quality of optics. 

Чтобы добиться полного контроля над тензором voltage, a group of researchers led by Yuwei Yao has developed a technology for applying quasi-periodic cells consisting of special gratings on the back side of the base of optical surfaces. The scientists called their method stress tensor mesostructures.

Base under the surface before production beginsThe back side of the optical device is coated with thin layers of high-strength film made from silicon dioxide. Stress patterns are printed onto the film using lithography so researchers can change the properties of the material in specific areas.

Local changes in the film coating indifferent areas show where stress is applied to the surface and tension is formed. And since the optical surface and the coating are bonded, manipulation of the coating material changes the shape of the optical surface.

"Rotating the lattice in each elementary celland by changing the area fraction of the selected areas, all three components of the stress tensor field can be controlled simultaneously with a simple patterning process,” explains Yao.

Distortion of the silicon wafer surface before andafter 2D stress correction. The flatness of the plate has been improved by more than 20 times. The scale of the image is distorted for clarity (the height of the deformation is indicated in nm, the horizontal axes are in mm). Source: Yuwei Yao, MIT

As the researchers note, thin platesnecessary for complex high-level optical systems such as deformable mirrors, as well as in semiconductor manufacturing. New technology will make production more accurate, scalable and cheaper. This is especially true for ultra-lightweight systems such as space optics, where traditional manufacturing methods do not meet stringent requirements. 

Researchers plan to improve technologyso that the surface stress can be adjusted automatically during use. To do this, the engineers plan to place their mesostructures on thin plates with a piezoelectric drive. This will allow the technology to be extended beyond optics for use in microelectronics and soft robotics.

Read more

Is the standard model of physics no longer relevant? The main thing about the new work of scientists at the collider

Scientists 'resurrect' an ancient enzyme to feed 9 billion people by 2050

Found traces of the strongest earthquake in the history of mankind