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A deformable mirror (DM) is a mirror that can be flexed. Typically they are used in astronomical telescopes to correct aberrations due to atmospheric conditions (adaptive optics) or to correct for mirror stress or imperfections. An adaptive optics system may consist of a deformable mirror deformed by actuators under the control based on a wavefront sensor.
In large research telescopes, similar mechanisms may be incorporated in the mounting for dynamically adjusting the mirror's position and the stress on it, due to gravity shifting or deforming the mirror from its intended position and shape.