Actuators: design fundamentals, key performance specifications, and parametric trades

The fundamental element in the design, manufacture, and operation of active and adaptive optical components is the actuator. This technology has prime influence on the bandwidth, weight, and overall system accuracy. Various actuator types are commercially available which have a broad range of capabilities in terms of stroke, frequency response, hysteresis, set-point accuracy, resolution, force, power dissipation, and just plain physical size and weight. Several different types of actuator technologies are reviewed with emphasis placed upon their basic properties, design fundamentals, key parameters, and response characteristics.