Abstract. To meet the high contrast requirement of 1 × 10 −10 to image an Earth-like planet around a sun-like star, space telescopes equipped with coronagraphs require wavefront control systems. Deformable mirrors (DMs) are a key element of a wavefront control system, as they correct for imperfections, thermal distortions, and diffraction that would otherwise corrupt the wavefront and ruin the contrast. The goal of the CubeSat DM technology demonstration mission is to test the ability of a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) DM to perform wavefront control on-orbit on a nanosatellite platform. We consider two approaches for an MEMS DM technology demonstration payload that will fit within the mass, power, and volume constraints of a CubeSat: (1) a Michelson interferometer and (2) a Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensor. We clarify the constraints on the payload based on the resources required for supporting CubeSat subsystems drawn from subsystems that we have developed for a different CubeSat flight project. We discuss results from payload laboratory prototypes and their utility in defining mission requirements. © The Authors.Published by SPIE under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License. Distribution or reproduction of this work in whole or in part requires full attribution of the original publication, including its DOI.

The goal of the CubeSat Deformable Mirror Demonstration (DeMi) is to characterize the performance of a small deformable mirror over a year in low-Earth orbit. Small form factor deformable mirrors are a key technology needed to correct optical system aberrations in high contrast, high dynamic range space telescope applications such as space-based coronagraphic direct imaging of exoplanets. They can also improve distortions and reduce bit error rates for space-based laser communication systems. While follow-on missions can take advantage of this general 3U CubeSat platform to test the on-orbit performance of several different types of deformable mirrors, this first design accommodates a 32-actuator Boston Micromachines MEMS deformable mirror.

In this manuscript we review the main strategies for detecting changes in intracellular parameters with photoluminescent nanosensors. Examples of the detection of intracellular pH, ion concentration (Na+, Ca2+, Zn2+, Hg2+), reactive oxygen species (ROS, e.g. hydrogen peroxide), variations in temperature, changes in RNA levels and the detection of enzymatic activity are described in detail. The utilisation of nanomaterials such as quantum dots, silicon carbide nanoparticles, nanoscale metal-organic frameworks, upconverting nanoparticles, fluorescent nanoclusters, gold nanoparticles, nanodiamonds, dendrimers and polymeric nanoparticles in bioimaging is highlighted. When compared to molecular probes, nanosensors combine high sensitivity and selectivity with low toxicity, which are crucial parameters for sensing in live cells

Keywords:adaptive optics, wavefront control, deformable mirror, high contrast, high dynamic range, CubeSat