Boston Multi-DM - Verification Tools

Multi-DM™ User Manual Section 8 - Verifying the DM Installation
BMC Document Number: DOC-0009 Rev. 5.2 Page 24
8.1 Verification Tools
The following software, shape, and hardware tools are used in the verification
and alignment processes.
8.1.1 Software Tools
Boston Micromachines supplies two programs to directly control the DM.
They are all installed by the SDK installation program.
• DMShapes is a graphical user interface application that can load a shape
from a text file and apply it to the DM, set the entire DM to a single value,
or set actuators individually. For detailed information see Section 9,
DMShapes Software Overview.
• BMCLoadShape is a command line application that reads a shape from
a Command Map file and applies it to the DM. For detailed information on
BMCLoadShape see BMC Document No. D02-00025, Boston Micromachines Getting
Started With C/C++ in the Program Files\Boston Micromachines\Doc folder.
8.1.2 Shape Tools
Three types of alignment are possible, although not every application will require all
of them. Each type of alignment requires a particular shape to be formed by the mirror.
• Angular alignment requires a flat mirror surface.
• Centering and rotational alignments require some type
of regular geometric pattern or shape.
The following table summarizes these requirements.
Type of Alignment
Mirror Shape Required
Command Map
Angular (of DM surface) Flat surface The Flat Map File
supplied with all DMs
Centering (X and Y) Cross, square, etc. Supplied with
Multi and Kilo DMs
For other DMs
created by user
Rotation Cross, square, etc.
All Shape files are located in the Program Files\Boston Micromachines\Shapes
folder and can be loaded in the DMShapes application from the Shapes list.