Precision double-sided aspheric element
First Claim
1. A method of producing first and second aspheric surfaces on a precision optical element having a radius, comprising the steps of:
- forming said first aspheric surface on said element;
forming on a vacuum chuck, a support surface being a ring having a width in its radial direction less than 50% of the radius of said element, and having an aspheric form matching that of said first aspheric surface formed on said element; and
subsequently forming said second aspheric surface on said element while it is held with said first aspheric surface in said vacuum chuck.
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Abstract
A precision optical element is described, such as is used in thermal imaging systems in the infra-red, manufactured by means of single point machining, with both of its surfaces having an aspheric form, with or without the addition of a diffractive optics pattern. The element is produced while held in a novel vacuum chuck, whose support surface has a width in the radial direction significantly less than the size of the element, and which is aspherically machined to match the aspheric first surface of the element. A method whereby such an element can be produced-by-means of single point machining, such as diamond turning or fly cutting, is also described. Also described are new optical system designs and applications using such double-sided aspheric elements, thereby providing significant improvement over currently available optical systems.
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Citations
7 Claims
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1. A method of producing first and second aspheric surfaces on a precision optical element having a radius, comprising the steps of:
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forming said first aspheric surface on said element;
forming on a vacuum chuck, a support surface being a ring having a width in its radial direction less than 50% of the radius of said element, and having an aspheric form matching that of said first aspheric surface formed on said element; and
subsequently forming said second aspheric surface on said element while it is held with said first aspheric surface in said vacuum chuck. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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Specification