Research & Development
Research & Development Division
Active Optical Systems (AOS) is a leading provider of directed energy defense solutions and components. For 20 years, AOS has developed new technologies and enhanced existing capabilities with research and development initiatives that positively impact air, land, sea and space domains
Air, Land, Sea and Space Programs
AOS has provided adaptive optics components to aid in the research and development of airborne, land and sea based directed energy (HEL) efforts. AOS has also developed and helped to integrate components that provide image correction in aerial platforms.
AOS has assisted space programs through the successful integrated of adaptive optics components and system into telescopes to assist in image correction. AOS is presently engaged in new product design efforts to assist in additional space communications, imaging and directed energy efforts.
Research & Development Components
Apart from components manufactured in the AOS Production Division, AOS has developed and provided groundbreaking components as part of research and development initiatives.
Counter UAS
Membrane Deformable Mirror
The AOS Membrane DM offers a low-cost alternative to the MEMS deformable mirror technology and fulfills customer requirements for lower cost and laboratory environments. Membrane DM mirrors are built using a polymer membrane material used in the optics industry for decades. These membranes have been successfully coated with both metals and high reflectivity multi-layer dielectric (MLD) stacks. High reflectivity coated membranes have demonstrated a damage threshold of 3 J/cm2 for 11 ns q-switched 1-um laser light. AOS polymer membrane DM technology is easily customized and scalable from .5” – 6″ diameters (12.5mm–152.4mm). The mirrors can be coated for reflectivity with virtually any metal coating. The Membrane DM is easily mounted onto an optical post, saving cost and space and allowing easy integration onto an optics table. AOS Membrane DMs have proven success with Laser Machining.
- High Optical Quality Continuous Surface
- Optional High Reflectivity Coatings (3 J/cm2 Damage Threshold)
- >500 Hz Resonance at 25mm diameter
- Diameters: .5” - 6″ (12.5mm–152.4mm)
- Compatible with AOS Drive Electronics
Customization Possible
- • Resistant to damage from Snap-down
- Capable of 10 microns of focus at 300V
- Export possible to select countries
Telescopes
Novel Pointing & High-Order Wavefront Control Device
Atmospheric Characterization Systems
AOS creates atmospheric characterization systems and components that allow the end-user to monitor and measure aberrations in a particular environment.