The Development of Optical Surfaces during the Grinding Process

In the last five years a number of publications have appeared attempting to explain the changes in shape of optical surfaces during the grinding and polishing process. It is apparent that this new field of optical engineering will contribute significantly to the progress of grinding and polishing fabrication methods. The present paper deals with the grinding process. Equations are derived describing the development of the final shape of a surface and the theoretical conditions for full reproducibility of the process.