Method and apparatus for controlling a deformable mirror

An apparatus for controlling deformation of a structure, the apparatus comprising:

• at least one actuator mechanically coupled to a structure, the at least one actuator including a first electrode and a second electrode;
• a processor programmed to operate with electronics coupled to the at least one actuator, the electronics including an amplifier and a switching element coupled to the at least one actuator, the processor executing instructions that cause:
• the amplifier to apply a command signal at a first signal level to the first electrode of the at least one actuator, the first signal level known to produce an energy level in the at least one actuator substantially the same as an energy level currently stored by the at least one actuator;
• the switching element to couple an electrical reference to the second electrode of the at least one actuator to enable the at least one actuator to respond in an electromechanical manner to the command signal at the first signal level, the at least one actuator having a substantially negligible electromechanical response to the command signal at the first signal level;
• the amplifier to drive the command signal from the first signal level to a second signal level, the at least one actuator changing shape in at least one dimension in an electromechanical manner as a function of the command signal, resulting in a corresponding deformation of the structure;
• and
• the switching element to decouple the electrical reference from the second electrode of the at the least one actuator, resulting in maintaining a deformation of the structure defined by energy stored in the at least one actuator.

A system for controlling deformation of a structure, the system comprising:

• means for applying a command signal at a first signal level to a first electrode of at least one actuator mechanically coupled to a structure, the first signal level known to produce an energy level in the at least one actuator substantially the same as an energy level currently stored by the at least one actuator;
• means for electrically coupling an electrical reference to a second electrode of the at least one actuator to enable the at least one actuator to respond in an electromechanical manner to the command signal at the first signal level, the at least one actuator having a substantially negligible electromechanical response to the command signal at the first signal level;
• means for driving the command signal from the first signal level to a second signal level, the at least one actuator being changed in at least one dimension in an electromechanical manner as a function of the command signal, resulting in a corresponding deformation of the structure;
• and
• means for electrically decoupling the electrical reference from the second electrode of the at the least one actuator, resulting in maintaining a deformation of the structure defined by energy stored in the at least one actuator.