MorphOptic

Perfecting the process of making large-scale optical mirrors

advanced image-based tools for precision metrology

OPTICS | IMAGE PROCESSING | AI

Perfecting the process of making large-scale optical mirrors.

MorphOptic, Inc. has fused highly parallel information technology with imaging optical science to develop high quality, low mass, optical components that can be inexpensively mass produced. We develop advanced image-based tools for precision metrology that enable these technologies.

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Astrophysical remote sensing innovation and technology for near-Earth reconnaissance solutions

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Potential military applications

Case Studies

Science & Technology

MorphOptic’s breakthrough technology

Yields sensitivity to see much fainter objects in space

something

Enables ultra-high optical resolution to see much finer space object detail from the ground

Something

Promotes high bandwidth optical communication and dense satellite networks

Something

The Problem

Mirrors are key components of reconnaissance and space communication systems – they’re heavy and costly.

Most imaging and communications optical mirrors require surface shape accuracy of 50nm (1/1000 hair diameter). To be stiff enough and support an accurate shape typically requires at most an 8:1 diameter to thickness ratio, which implies heavy mirrors with long thermal equilibrium times.

Current abrasive technologies for shaping mirrors are traceable to Newton and Gregory (17th century!), and now cost about $300,000 per square meter of mirror area for fabrication.

Our Solution

2mm-thick borosilicate mirrors up to 10cm diameter are self-supporting and at fine spatial scales smoother than any current mirror

We know how to build precision sensing and communication optics around unobstructed (off-axis) parabolic optical forms – the perfect geometry for energy concentration and imaging
These parabolic shapes are almost magically the physical solutions to Kirchoff-Love classical plate theory – under certain conditions
We know how to take the next step to “curvature polish” any remaining shape errors to generate diffraction limited optics that are 10x less massive and 20x less expensive than conventional optics
We know how to combine these technologies in various Cubesat-scale, ultra-sensitive, space optics
2mm-thick borosilicate mirrors up to 10cm diameter are self-supporting and at fine spatial scales smoother than any current mirror
We know how to build precision sensing and communication optics around unobstructed (off-axis) parabolic optical forms – the perfect geometry for energy concentration and imaging
These parabolic shapes are almost magically the physical solutions to Kirchoff-Love classical plate theory – under certain conditions
We know how to take the next step to “curvature polish” any remaining shape errors to generate diffraction limited optics that are 10x less massive and 20x less expensive than conventional optics
We know how to combine these technologies in various Cubesat-scale, ultra-sensitive, space optics

Use case applications

UC1: Swarm Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance

Extend the autonomous swarm concepts from UAVs to highly functional small satellites: this can bring seconds-timescale responsiveness to global ISR problems
AI hive functions in maneuverable imaging LEO microsats will be enhanced by lightweight image-quality mirrors that create low-latency high bandwidth communication

UC 2: Ultra-sensitive detection, early warning

Uses forward scattering from sunlight with coronagraph optics
Low-scattered light optics enable coronagraph sensitivity: a=1mm at d=10km

This has not been possible until now

Company background

Founded in the 1st Cohort of University of Hawaii Technology XLR8UH, 2015

Startup mission: Phase I large mirror technology for concentrated solar power

Pivoted in 2020 to space optics and precision optic curvature polishing development

In 2021, gained full time employees and significant design contracts, moved from UH labs to dedicated commercial offices and labs in Kahului, Maui, HI