Optics_fabrication

Optical fabrication and testing spans an enormous range of manufacturing procedures and optical test configurations.

I. Glass blank manufacturing

• Batch mixing
• Pouring and casting techniques
• Annealing schedules and equipment
• Physical characterization techniques
• Index of refraction measurements and calculation of melt pedigree

II. Diamond shaping techniques

• Diamond wheel curve generation processes and equipment
• Diamond edging processes and equipment

III. Loose grit fabrication techniques:

• Rough grinding
• Fine grinding
• Polishing and figuring

IV. Single-point diamond turning processes and equipment

V. Optical testing techniques

• Direct surface profile measurement
• Direct surface surveying (no intervening optics, for example Foucault, Ronchi, Caustic testing)
• Auxiliary optics (null correctors, computer generated holograms, etc.)
• Interferometric testing

See also

• Optical lens design

References

• Malacara, D., Optical Shop Testing - 2nd Edition, John Wiley and Sons, 1992, ISBN 0-471-52232-5

Illustrations

• Virtual Lens Plant. Canon Camera Museum. Instructional videos of the processes, within a flash web interface.

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