Research on a diamond turning method for large aspherical mirrors

Large size aspherical optic surfaces have gained significant importance and indispensability because of their desirable properties, and the fast growing demand needs urgently efficient and economical fabrication methods. A precision diamond turning machine with rotating tool feed and fast tool servo systems special for turning large asphercial mirrors is introduced, and a method to determine the best-fit sphere for this diamond turning method is also presented. A precise in-site measurement of the processing optical mirror is planned to construct on this machine tool in order to enhance the precision and efficiency, and reduce the production cost. The lateral shearing interferometer is known for being made small and having almost common-path beams that makes insensitive to mechanical vibrations and air turbulence, so it can be very suitable for measurement on the spot.