Aspheric optics: Smoothing the ripples with semi-flexible tools

Michael T. Tuell; James H. Burge; Bill Anderson

doi:10.1117/1.1481898

Aspheric optics: Smoothing the ripples with semi-flexible tools

Michael T. Tuell, James H. Burge, Bill Anderson

Optical Sciences, College of

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

37 Scopus citations

Abstract

A well-known fabrication problem with aspheric optical surfaces lies in high-frequency surface irregularities inherent in the figuring process. Optical grinding and polishing tools can smooth these ripples, yet retain the flexibility required to fit the aspheric surface. An f/0.52, paraboloidal, 17-in. convex surface is produced with conventional rigid tools. A transmission ronchigram is obtained showing high-spatial-frequency errors of large magnitude. After four hours of grinding with a semi-flexible multiple-segment ring tool, almost all high-frequency error is removed. This shows good potential for smoothing finished aspheric optics. Flexible tools can also be involved in the figuring process itself.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	1473-1474
Number of pages	2
Journal	Optical Engineering
Volume	41
Issue number	7
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1117/1.1481898
State	Published - Jul 2002

Keywords

Aspherics
Optical fabrication
Spatial frequencies
Strain analysis
Surfaces

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
Engineering(all)

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title = "Aspheric optics: Smoothing the ripples with semi-flexible tools",

abstract = "A well-known fabrication problem with aspheric optical surfaces lies in high-frequency surface irregularities inherent in the figuring process. Optical grinding and polishing tools can smooth these ripples, yet retain the flexibility required to fit the aspheric surface. An f/0.52, paraboloidal, 17-in. convex surface is produced with conventional rigid tools. A transmission ronchigram is obtained showing high-spatial-frequency errors of large magnitude. After four hours of grinding with a semi-flexible multiple-segment ring tool, almost all high-frequency error is removed. This shows good potential for smoothing finished aspheric optics. Flexible tools can also be involved in the figuring process itself.",

keywords = "Aspherics, Optical fabrication, Spatial frequencies, Strain analysis, Surfaces",

author = "Tuell, {Michael T.} and Burge, {James H.} and Bill Anderson",

note = "Funding Information: This work was performed under a contract granted to the Optics Shop at the Optical Sciences Center in support of the Far-Infrared Space Telescope (F.I.R.S.T.) project, which has since been renamed the Herschel Space Observatory.",

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