Optopiezothermoelastic actions and micro-control sensitivity analysis of cylindrical opto-mechanical shell actuators

Opto-mechanical actuators controlled by high-energy lights represent a new class of non-contact precision actuators based on the photodeformation process. The photodeformation process involves two fundamental opto-piezo(electric)thermoelastic coupling phenomena: 1) the photovoltaic effect and 2) the converse piezoelectric effect. Irradiating high-energy lights, such as lasers or ultraviolet lights, on a certain class of photostrictive materials can trigger the photodeformation and, consequently the induced photodeformation can be used for non-contact precision actuation and control. In the process of photodeformation, the temperature induced pyro-electric effect and the thermal strain effect also affect the overall response. This paper is to evaluate the micro-actuation sensitivity and spatial effectiveness of distributed opto-mechanical shell actuators. Mathematical modeling of a circular cylinder laminated with a segmented opto-mechanical actuator patch is presented first, followed by analytical solution procedures. Various design parameters and micro-control actions, e.g., membrane control, bending control, actuator location, actuator length/size, are evaluated and their modal control sensitivities are reported. Time histories of free and controlled responses are demonstrated.