MEMS based space telescope for extreme energy cosmic rays experiments

Abstract

We propose a new idea of tracking mirror telescope that observes in space atmospheric fluorescence lights of EAS (Extensive Air Shower) generated by axtreme energy cosmic rays. The concept of the tracking mirror is based on recent development on semiconductor MEMS (MicroElectroMechanical Systems) technology. The tracking mirror consists of a large number of micromirror arrays each of which is controlled independently by addressing signals from the active silicon matrix. The array system is programmed and configured at a given instance to be a mirror-concentrator with axis direction and focal distance both under control in real time. When an EAS event is detected the mirror is rearranged to track the event by minimizing aberrations. The detector resolution can be also controlled during the operation by correcting positions of micromirror arrays. In this paper the conceptual design of the tracking mirror is described. © 2004 Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.