Fast Steering Mirrors

Technology Overview

Fast steering mirrors (FSM) are precision adaptive optics components that can rapidly and accurately control the direction of light or information through a system. The FSM mirror is mechanically tilted on desired axes via actuators, allowing for precise pointing and tracking of a laser or light source. FSMs are made up of a mirrored or coated substrate, sensors, actuators, and a controller.
Our FSMs are used in a variety of applications, including:

  • Laser beam stabilization:

    FSMs are used to stabilize laser beams, traditionally this occurs inside a beam control system and the FSM’s purpose is to keep the beam on target.

  • Image stabilization:

    FSMs are used to stabilize information/images.

  • Laser communications:

    FSMs can modulate light to carry information.

General Product Overview

AOS primarily manufactures FSMs to address the laser pointing control market, although our FSMs can be employed in communication or image stabilization systems. 

Our FSMs can address a wide variety of tilt needs from atmosphere aberration compensation to mechanical jitter rejection. AOS FSMs are scalable with 1”- 8” diameters mirrors (25mm-200mm) and can be produced in circular or elliptical shapes to accommodate extreme angles of incidence and varied beam size. 

FSM mirror coatings are customizable and capable of receiving any high reflectivity coating. AOS FSMs are digitally controlled, eliminating the traditional drawbacks of analog adjustment. FSMs are available with or without exterior packaging, and in either anodized or uncoated finishes, to accommodate physical space or vacuum requirements.

Please see datasheets for further product specifications.

AOS produces FSMs in two distinct architectures contingent upon intended application:

The VCA Production Line employs voice coils and features larger diameter mirrors and has been used effectively within HEL Directed Energy Systems. Due to their architecture, VCA FSMs allow for increased tilt. 

The PZT line is designed to address small size and high speed requirements.

VCA FSM Product Line Features

  • High Optical Quality Continuous Surface
  • Customizable Mirror Substrate
  • Capable of Receiving Any High Reflectivity Coating
  • All Digital Tunable Controller with Ethernet Interface
  • Mirror Diameters: 1in – 8in (25mm-200mm)
  • Microradian Accuracy with Milliradian Stroke
  • Integrated Sensors

PZT FSM Product Line Features

  • Can be produced down to 1in Diameter (25mm)
  • FSM First Resonance: ~9kHz
  • Rise Time: ~100μs
  • PZT custom controller with a notch to damp the oscillation

Controller & SWAP-C2

The AOS FSM product family was designed to pair seamlessly with AOS Deformable Mirrors (DM), providing a dramatic improvement to industry beam control systems. Single ruggedized AOS Controllers can control multiple components, immediately reducing system Size, Weight, Power, Cost, and Cooling (SWAP-C2) considerations—an industry-wide priority.

Power Handling & Testing

AOS FSMs and coatings have successfully performed in live testing to 240kW and 1MW/cm2. AOS performed independent laser damage testing directly on a completed FSM. The FSM was 100% raster scanned over the full aperture at 100kW/cm2. The FSM successfully passed and demonstrated only two small hot spots with a temperature rise that peaked at 25C. Zero damage occurred to the FSM under test.
Environmental Stress Testing

AOS FSMs are thermal stress tested from -50°C to 90°C.

FSM Quote Generator

Datasheets & Manuals

Fast Steering Mirror (VCA)
Fast Steering Mirror (PZT)
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