Reflecting mirrors shaped with magnetic fields

Details Reflecting mirrors shaped with magnetic fields Reflecting mirrors shaped with magnetic fields

2005-09-20

2005-09-20

Cherry, Euncha P. (Department: 2872)

Optical: systems and elements

Mirror

Including specified control or retention of the shape of a...

Reexamination Certificate

active

06945658

ABSTRACT:
This invention relates to a new type of reflective optical element made of a fluid that responds to a force if subjected to a magnetic field. As a consequence, one can impose any shape one wants to the reflecting surface by generating an appropriate magnetic field geometry with permanent magnets, electromagnets or a combination of permanent magnets and electromagnets, or the like. A preferred embodiment uses a ferromagnetic fluid made of water containing ferromagnetic nanoparticles. Liquid ferromagnetic surfaces thus obtained were successfully shaped using magnetic fields. In another preferred embodiment, to modify the reflectivity of the optical element, a reflective layer, such as a nano-engineered silver reflecting surface, is deposited on the surface of the magnetically sensitive fluid. The surface of the reflecting layer can therefore be warped by applying a magnetic field to the fluid. Coated or uncoated magnetically deformable liquid surfaces with reflective layers allows one to make inexpensive and versatile high-quality reflecting mirrors having complex shapes. The shapes of the reflecting surfaces can be changed within short time periods by changing the shapes of the magnetic fields.

REFERENCES:
patent: 4076387 (1978-02-01), Haas et al.
patent: 5650880 (1997-07-01), Shuter et al.
patent: 5954991 (1999-09-01), Hong et al.
patent: 6631032 (2003-10-01), Ryutov et al.
patent: 2003/0227695 (2003-12-01), Borra et al.
Borra E F. Ritcey A M: ‘Tiltable Liquid Mirror Telescopes’ Proc.Spie—Int.Soc.Opt.Eng., vol 4003, Mar. 29, 2000, pp. 331-336, XP009015487 USA.
Gwan Soo Park et al: ‘Determination of the Curvature of the Magnetic Fluid Under the External Forces’IEEE Transactions on Magnetics, IEEE Inc. New York, US. vol. 38, no. 2, Mar. 2002, pp. 957,960, XP001117366 ISSN: 0018-9464.
E.F. Borra, A.M. Ritcey, E. Artigau, “Floating Mirrors”, Astrophysical Journal Letters, 516, L115.
Whitehead and Shutter, Astrohysical Journal Letters 1994, pp, L139-L141, vol. 418.
Ragazzoni, R: Marchetti, E. “Aliquid Adaptive Mirror”, Astronomy and Strphysics, pp. L17-L19, vol. 283.
Raggazzoni, R; Marchette, E., Claudi, R. “Magnetic Driven Liquid Mirrors in Orbiting Telescopes” Stronomy and Astrophysics Supplement, p. 175 v. 115.
Cugat, et al. “Deformable Magnetic Mirror for Adaptive Optics: Technological Aspects” Sensors and Actuators A, 2001, 89.
P. Berger, N.B. Adelman, K.J. Beckman, D.J. Campbell, A.B. Ellis and G.C. Lisensky, J., Chem. Ed. 1999, 76, 943.
P.C. Lee and D. Meisel, J. Phys. Chem. 1982, 86, 3391.
K.C. Gordon, J.J. McGarvey and K.P. Taylor, J. Phys. Chem, 1989, 93, 6814.
U.S. Appl. No. 60/371,089, filed Apr. 2002, Borra et al.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Reflecting mirrors shaped with magnetic fields does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Reflecting mirrors shaped with magnetic fields, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Reflecting mirrors shaped with magnetic fields will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3420479