Null test of an off-axis parabolic mirror. I. Configuration with spherical reference wave and flat return surface.

We demonstrate the precise figure measurement of a one-inch (25.4 mm) diamond-turned 90 masculine off-axis commercial-quality parabolic mirror. The test is carried out with a phase-shifting Fizeau interferometer fitted with a spherical reference surface, auxiliary components and a flat return mirror. We present a detailed and systematic appraisal of the necessary steps for alignment and calibration of the instrument and the alignment of the parabolic mirror. Alignment errors and interferometric sensitivity variations are characterised and corrected, and the results give some insight into the diamond-turning process.

[1]  Jan Burke,et al.  Testing of a diamond-turned off-axis parabolic mirror , 2008, Optical Engineering + Applications.

[2]  Kenneth W. Tobin,et al.  Automated alignment system for aspheric mirrors , 1992, Optics & Photonics.

[3]  A. Bot,et al.  An ultrahigh vacuum (UHV) apparatus to study the interaction between adsorbates and photons , 1997 .

[4]  B Dorband,et al.  Testing aspheric surfaces with computer-generated holograms: analysis of adjustment and shape errors. , 1985, Applied optics.

[5]  Michael F. Küchel,et al.  A new approach to solve the three flat problem , 2001 .

[6]  Jan Burke,et al.  Precision metrology of dihedral angle error in prisms and corner cubes for the Space Interferometry Mission , 2005, SPIE Optics + Photonics.

[7]  D. Farrant,et al.  Calibration of a 300-mm-aperture phase-shifting Fizeau interferometer. , 2000, Applied optics.

[8]  Johannes Schwider,et al.  Empirical strategy for detection and removal of misalignment aberrations in interferometry , 2001 .

[9]  Johannes A. Soons,et al.  A simple ball averager for reference sphere calibrations , 2005, SPIE Optics + Photonics.

[10]  Christopher Bond,et al.  How To Align An Off-Axis Parabolic Mirror , 1989, Defense, Security, and Sensing.

[11]  R. E. Sladky,et al.  Optical Figure Inspection of Diamond-Turned Metal Mirrors , 1977 .

[12]  J C Wyant,et al.  Absolute measurement of surface roughness. , 1990, Applied optics.

[13]  J. F. Cuttino,et al.  Performance optimization of a fast tool servo for single-point diamond turning machines , 1999 .

[14]  Patrick J Reardon,et al.  Determining parent radius and conic of an off-axis segment interferometrically with a spherical reference wave. , 2007, Optics letters.

[15]  Kristin J. Dana,et al.  Device for convenient measurement of spatially varying bidirectional reflectance. , 2004, Journal of the Optical Society of America. A, Optics, image science, and vision.