Scanning micromechanical mirror for fine-pointing units of intersatellite optical links

Mika Suhonen, Jussi Graeffe, Teuvo Sillanpää, Hannu Sipola, Michael Eiden

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticleScientificpeer-review

    13 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    A light and fast two-axial fine-pointing mirror has a number of space applications, especially in intersatellite optical links. The fine pointing of laser beams in optical links is currently realized with electromagnetic or piezoelectric actuators, which are relatively large and heavy. Micro-electro-mechanical system technology bears a high potential in space applications, offering a reduction in device size, mass and power consumption. Microtechnology facilitates batch mode fabrication, yielding a low cost per unit. VTT Automation has designed and partially tested a silicon micromachined electrostatically actuated two-axial mirror, which can be controlled with microradian resolution and large bandwidth over the angular range of ±3 mrad.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)1204-1210
    Number of pages7
    JournalSmart Materials and Structures
    Volume10
    Issue number6
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2001
    MoE publication typeA1 Journal article-refereed

    Keywords

    • satellite communications
    • satellites
    • micromechanical devices
    • space applications

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'Scanning micromechanical mirror for fine-pointing units of intersatellite optical links'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this