Noncontact Electron Gun Actuation of a Piezoelectric Polymer Thin Film Bimorph Structure

Noncontact electron gun actuation of a bimorphmirror structure composed of two polyvinylidene fluoride layers is demonstrated. The electric field is applied to the piezoelectric structure by controlling the potential of a nickel-copper electrode on one side of the bimorph mirror and subjecting the opposite, bare side of the bimorph to an electron flux. The electrode also serves as the reflecting surface of the thin film mirror structure. Significant characteristics of this actuation approach are demonstrated, including the ability to address discrete areas of the continuous mirror without affecting the global mirror shape and the persistence of the shape changes after the electron beam is turned off.