09/11/2025
By Lynne Schaufenbil

Please join the Lowell Center for Space Science and Technology for the talk, Advancing Adaptive Optics with MEMS Deformable Mirrors, by Paul Bierden, President and CEO of Boston Micromachines Corporation on Thursday, Sept. 25 at 11 a.m.

Abstract:
Adaptive Optics (AO) has revolutionized the ability to capture and shape light, driving discoveries in astronomy, defense, and communications. At Boston Micromachines Corporation (BMC), we design and manufacture high-performance MEMS-based deformable mirrors that deliver the precision, speed, and reliability required for today’s most advanced optical systems.

This talk will focus on the use of BMC deformable mirrors in astronomy, where they are central to large ground-based telescopes and upcoming space missions. These mirrors enable astronomers to directly image exoplanets near bright stars and resolve the detailed structure of distant galaxies. Examples of current and future instruments where MEMS deformable mirrors are playing a critical role will be shared.

In addition, the talk will highlight other applications where adaptive optics is increasingly important, such as free-space laser communications and biological imaging, underscoring the impact of MEMS technology on modern optical systems.

Bio:
Paul Bierden is the President and CEO of Boston Micromachines Corporation, a company he co-founded in 1999 to bring advanced MEMS-based deformable mirrors into real-world applications. Over the past 25 years, he’s helped the company become a leading supplier of adaptive optics technology for astronomy, biological imaging, and other areas where sharper images make all the difference.

Paul has worked closely with NASA, the National Science Foundation, and major research groups to push the boundaries of wavefront control and optical system performance. His background is in optical MEMS, but his passion is turning innovative ideas into practical tools that help researchers achieve their technical goals, from imaging exoplanets to improving how we see inside the brain.

When he’s not working on optics, Paul enjoys sharing his experience with students and researchers, showing how technology developed in a small company can make a big impact on science and engineering.

To RSVP or for the Zoom link, please contact Lynne_Schaufenbil@uml.edu