Role of surface roughness and lubricant film thickness in nanolubrication of sliding components in adaptive optics

Abstract

Integrated microprojectors are being developed to project a large image on any surface chosen by users. For a laser-based microprojector, a piezo-electric based adaptive optics unit is adopted in the green laser architecture. Nanolubrication of adaptive optics sliding components is needed to reduce wear and for smooth operation. Mobile lubricant film thickness needs to be optimized for a given interface with a certain surface roughness to minimize stiction/friction and maximize durability. In this paper, the role of roughness and film thickness on adhesion, friction, and wear of the interface is studied. The results and associated mechanisms are presented.