Vision tests microshutter arrays
Off-the-shelf components inspect MEMS array for infrared imaging in space.
A microshutter array-a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device that acts as a dynamic aperture mask-enables astronomers to observe hundreds of different objects in a single field of view. System-integrator Mink Hollow Systems is helping test optical components such as the microshutter array for the NASA James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) by writing the software and helping with system integration (see "James Webb Space Telescope"). The company is a subcontractor for Sigma Space, which is the lead contractor for the microshutter-array-test program on the JWST.