In Advanced Optical Instrumentation, Aspherics provide an effective performance alternative. The aspheric fabrication and surface metrology, followed by aspheric design are complementary iterative processes for Precision Aspheric development. As in fabrication, a holistic approach of aspheric surface characterization is adopted to evaluate actual surface error and to aim at the deliverance of aspheric optics with desired surface quality. Precision optical surfaces are characterized by profilometry or by interferometry. Aspheric profiles are characterized by contact profilometers, through linear surface scans to analyze their Form, Figure and Finish errors. One must ensure that, the surface characterization procedure does not add to the resident profile errors (generated during the aspheric surface fabrication). This presentation examines the errors introduced post-surface generation and during profilometry of aspheric profiles. This effort is to identify sources of errors and is to optimize the metrology process. The sources of error during profilometry may be due to: profilometer settings, work-piece placement on the profilometer stage, selection of zenith/nadir points of aspheric profiles, metrology protocols, clear aperture – diameter analysis, computational limitations of the profiler and the software issues etc. At OPTICA, a PGI 1200 FTS contact profilometer (Taylor-Hobson make) is used for this study. Precision Optics of various profiles are studied, with due attention to possible sources of errors during characterization, with multi-directional scan approach for uniformity and repeatability of error estimation. This study provides an insight of aspheric surface characterization and helps in optimal aspheric surface production methodology.
Multi-layer reflective thin film filters optimized for oblique incidence angles were deposited on glass substrates using
Electron Beam evaporation technique with in situ thickness monitoring. The present study involves deposition and
optical characterization of 5 layered multi-layer structures of TiO2-Al2O3 and TiO2-SiO2 having different thicknesses for
varied wavelength ranges in the visible region. Three TiO2-SiO2 multi-layer thin film filters were deposited having peak
reflectance at 480 nm, 540 nm and 675 nm respectively corresponding to light sources in the blue, green and red
wavelength regions. Similarly, a TiO2-Al2O3 multi-layer was fabricated having peak reflectance of around 64% at
610nm. These filters were deposited at an elevated temperature of 250° C in an oxygenated reactive environment for
better adhesion, mechanical strength and proper stoichiometry. Reflectance measurements of these multi-layer filters at
oblique incidence angles reveal high reflectance of around 70 ~ 75% with a reasonably broad reflection band which can
have wide applications in beam steering, shaping and folding applications in various complex optical systems facing
constrained space and weight requirements.
Silicon is widely used in IR optics, X-Ray optics and electronics applications. These applications require Silicon of
optical quality surface as well as good form accuracy. To get the desired finish and dimensional accuracy, diamond
turning is preferable. Taylor-Hobson Nanoform-250 diamond turning equipment is used to machine flat Silicon mirror.
Negative rake diamond tool is used with a tool nose radius of 1.5 mm. A series of SPDT machining operations are
performed in the sequential combinations of tool feed rate, Spindle Speed and depth of cut. In order to find out the effect
of machining parameters on the Surface Roughness during turning, Response Surface Methodology (RSM) is used and a
prediction model is developed related to average Surface Roughness (Ra) using experimental data. The surface quality is
analyzed in terms of arithmetic roughness (Ra) and Power Spectral Density for uniform evaluation. In addition, a good
agreement between the predicted and measured Surface Roughness is observed.
A stable optical resonator comprising a spherical rear mirror with a phase step of λ/2 at its center and a flat output coupler promises to produce a beam with very low diffraction. Based on this premise, a phase step mirror is fabricated on oxygen-free high-conductivity copper substrate using single-point diamond turning method for use in kilowatt-class CO 2 laser. The fabrication technique and subsequent metrology measurements of the optical component, e.g., surface profile error and surface finish, are discussed.
The development of modern optical instruments has evolved into a complex multi-disciplinary activity with the explosion of sophisticated applications. For specialized optical systems, the development of even a prototype has become a costly exercise. This paper presents a new concept of virtual prototyping for optical systems to minimize the development time, cost and risk. This process employs the computer-aided design and modeling tools to address the broad issues of system layout, optical and optomechanical design, structural and thermal analysis for the real operating environment, tolerance budgeting and optimization procedures. The Center for Applied Optics at the University of Alabama in Huntsville has developed the necessary computer interfaces between the various stages of optical system design, development and evaluation. As a common database is used for the optical and mechanical design and analyses, the possibility of a human error is eliminated while minimizing the time and effort required to accomplish these critical tasks. The virtual prototyping concept works in an iterative fashion to achieve the desired system performance at a minimum cost. This technique has been successfully employed in the design and development of several optical instruments for space, military and commercial applications, covering a broad spectrum from UV to IR. The performance specifications and the results of virtual prototyping for some typical systems are also presented.
A ground-based three-mirror zero-obscuration astronomical telescope is conceived, designed, and analyzed initially for use as a spectrographic camera covering near UV to near IR (320 - 900 nm) wavelength region in a fiber-fed instrument operating at McDonald Observatory of the University of Texas at Austin. The design is a modified configuration of UV-imager developed for auroral imaging by the POLAR spacecraft of the International Solar Terrestrial Physics (ISTP) Program. This paper presents the design and performance issues in the context of the additional system constraints and mechanical limitations imposed. Tolerance analysis in light of cost-effective fabrication and assembly is also presented.
There is a growing demand for a larger field coverage for scanning in IR instrumentation. We have explored the possibility of using the microlens arrays (MLAs) for this purpose, and have developed a generic IR imaging scanner. The application of MLAs in the wide-field IR imagers is presented, along with their advantages and limitations. A series of systems using MLAs and diffractive elements have been designed and analyzed for a diffraction-limited performance with 45 degree(s) and 60 degree(s) field of view for a f/1.4 IR imager operating in 3 - 5 micrometers wavelength range for 1-D and 2-D scanning applications. The optical design considerations, fabrication issues, and thermal effects are also discussed for these types of scanners.
Simulation and modeling have become an integral part of a cost-effective optical system development process. Over the years, this activity has evolved into a complex multi-disciplinary activity. To optimize the resources required for this exercise, a new concept of virtual prototyping is presented. This concept employs computer-aided interactive simulation tools such as ray tracing, solid modeling and error analysis. It addresses the broad issues of system layout, optical and optomechanical design, structural and thermal analysis for the real operating environment, tolerance budgeting and optimization procedures. This concept works in an iterative fashion to achieve the desired system performance at a minimum cost.
An advanced polarized infra-red imaging sensor (APIRIS) has been designed and prototyped to acquire the polarization signature of targets in the far IR (8 - 12 microns) region with a field of view 4 degree(s) X 3 degree(s). The design (optical and optomechanical), fabrication and assembly issues of the scanning telescope for the APIRIS are discussed in this paper. The telescope is designed for diffraction limited performance using germanium lenses and Zerodur fold mirrors to minimize overall size of the telescope. The tolerance budgeting and thermal sensitivity analysis are also presented.
Space optical systems generally require near-theoretical performance in hostile environments within size, weight, and cost constraints. We have addressed the challenge of achieving an optimum image quality through a cost-effective tolerance analysis scheme. Two different space optical systems are considered: the UV imager for the International Solar Terrestrial Physics (ISTP) Mission and an afocal telescope for the Advanced Polarized IR Imaging Sensor (APIRIS). These systems are described along with their required performances and designs. A tolerance study is conducted, and the effect of tolerances on image quality and cost is presented.
The ultimate goal of optical instrumentation is to achieve the desired image quality in a given application. This requires a homogenous blend of optical and mechanical design, fabrication, system integration and testing tasks. The space optical systems generally require near theoretical performances in hostile environments within size, weight and cost constraints. Hence a careful tolerance analysis plays a crucial role in these systems. For space optics, the importance of image quality, cost and related tolerance analysis cannot be over-emphasized. In this paper, we have tried to address the challenge of achieving an optimum image quality through a cost effective tolerance analysis. Two different space optical systems are considered: the UV imager for the International Solar Terrestrial Physics (ISTP) Mission and an afocal telescope for the Advanced Polarized IR Imaging Sensor (APIRIS). These systems are described along with their required performances and designs, with an explanation of the tolerance study conducted. The effect of tolerances on the image quality and cost are investigated.
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