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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 aka AO) 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 a mirror's position and adjusting the stress on the mirror: gravity can shift or deform a mirror from its intended position and shape, in particular, the primary mirror. Any mirror-deformation for the purposes of AO is carried out on a subsequent, smaller mirror.