Analysis of the static deformation matching between numerical and experimental data on the voice-coil actuated deformable mirrors

As any other modelling of a physical behavior, the numerical simulation of the mechanical response of an adaptive secondary mirror requires that the results match the experimental data. Such an agreement was recently demonstrated for the local mirror stiffness of the LBT and VLT Deformable Mirrors. A reliable modeling is a good tool for the extrapolation of the missing optical data (spider shadowing, edge vignetting, etc.) and a final goal method for simplifying, or even substituting, the complex optical measuring equipment required by the convex shells. In the present paper we compare the whole mirror deformation maps when a single actuator is poked, both in the optical data and in the numerical model. The limiting factors as well as a roadmap for future improvements will be identified.