Modern high technology optical surface manufacture makes use of one or more of four basic manufacturing technologies: loose abrasive grinding and polishing, single-point diamond turning, multi-point (fixed-abrasive) machining, and position-dependent material alteration. Each is described and a general comparison made with respect to achievable results, versatility and applicability to astrophysical, surveillance, and other advanced system applications. Such manufacturing technologies also offer a number of natural extensions which serve to provide, at least, a dim view down the development pathway. Such things as diamond-turned visible light optics, single-point machining of glass, precision fixed-abrasive grinding, precise computer-controlled polishing, and altered index materials are explored as offering exciting possibilities in the future.

Date Published: 9 December 1983
PDF: 17 pages
Proc. SPIE 0433, Contemporary Methods of Optical Manufacturing and Testing, (9 December 1983); doi: 10.1117/12.936782

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 0433:
Contemporary Methods of Optical Manufacturing and Testing
Gregory M. Sanger, Editor(s)