Conference proceeding
Fabrication and characterization of electroactive polymer actuators for high-resolution adjustable x-ray optics
Proceedings of SPIE, the international society for optical engineering, Vol.13626, pp.136261D-136261D-4
09/18/2025
DOI: 10.1117/12.3064156
Abstract
This study investigates adjustable X-ray mirror technologies using electroactive polymer films as actuators to correct figure deformations in submillimeter-thick x-ray mirror shells. Such deformations can arise from fabrication errors, stray mounting loads, coating stresses, or mounting processes, adversely affecting the optic’s angular resolution. Our research focuses on the fabrication, testing, and application of individually addressable actuator cells made from micrometer-thick electroactive polymer (PVDF-TrFE) films on flat silicon wafers. Electroactive polymers are capable of generating significant strains at low voltages and offer promise for correcting deformations in submillimeter-thick mirror shells. Our approach demonstrates a scalable, low-cost, and low-temperature method for actuator fabrication. We selected PVDF-TrFE as the actuator material due to its excellent piezoelectric properties and its proven suitability for space environments. The fabrication of polymer films is cost-effective and scalable, making them suitable for industrial applications. Additionally, their low processing temperature (below 140°C) minimizes thermally induced imperfections in the substrate. In this paper, we will present measurements that track figure changes and integrated stress associated with our fabrication protocol. Using interferometry setup at the University of Iowa, we measured figures of the wafers before and after actuator fabrication. Figure changes were dominated by the quadratic Zernike term. We will also present two different geometric implementations of our actuator arrays.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Fabrication and characterization of electroactive polymer actuators for high-resolution adjustable x-ray optics
- Creators
- Mary Iskakova - Washington University in St. LouisKenneth Buffo - University of IowaCasey DeRoo - University of IowaManel Errando - Washington University in St. Louis
- Contributors
- Jessica A. Gaskin (Editor) - NASA Marshall Space Flight Ctr. (United States)Daniele Spiga (Editor) - Brera Astronomical Observatory
- Resource Type
- Conference proceeding
- Publication Details
- Proceedings of SPIE, the international society for optical engineering, Vol.13626, pp.136261D-136261D-4
- DOI
- 10.1117/12.3064156
- ISSN
- 0277-786X
- Publisher
- SPIE
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 09/18/2025
- Academic Unit
- Physics and Astronomy; University College Courses
- Record Identifier
- 9985019046502771
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