Abstract

The optical fabrication time associated with an optical component’s production most often dictates its final cost. Historically, art- driven conventional fabrication techniques used to produce infrared (IR) optics were labor-intensive, making the costs of such components prohibitive. Alternate, lower cost, fabrication technologies based on automated machine systems such as diamond turning, have been shown to be effective in generating high quality optical surfaces for some non-brittle materials. During the past year, fabrication techniques employing Opticam microgrinding technology have been demonstrated for glass and crystalline visible and infrared optical materials resulting in optical surfaces exhibiting superb figure, low roughness and subsurface damage. The continued development of such technology could significantly reduce the fabrication costs of complex geometry, expensive material, IR optics such as those used in window and dome applications.

© 1994 Optical Society of America