OPTICAL TESTING APPARATUS AND METHODS

An apparatus and associated method for testing a non-symmetric (e.g., phi-polynomial) surface. The apparatus uses several simple (singlet) optical elements (e.g., an Offner null configuration) and a tilted optic under test in combination with an active optical element (e.g., actuated, deformable mem...

Ausführliche Beschreibung

Gespeichert in:
Bibliographische Detailangaben
Hauptverfasser: FUERSCHBACH KYLE, ROLLAND JANNICK P
Format: Patent
Sprache:eng
Schlagworte:
Online-Zugang:Volltext bestellen
Tags: Tag hinzufügen
Keine Tags, Fügen Sie den ersten Tag hinzu!
Beschreibung
Zusammenfassung:An apparatus and associated method for testing a non-symmetric (e.g., phi-polynomial) surface. The apparatus uses several simple (singlet) optical elements (e.g., an Offner null configuration) and a tilted optic under test in combination with an active optical element (e.g., actuated, deformable membrane mirror, optical phase modulator, etc.) that together form a null or quasi-null that allows for conventional null-based interferometry. This solution solves the problem of exceeding the dynamic range of a conventional interferometer when trying to test non-symmetric optical surfaces.