Approach for axisymmetrical asphere polishing with full-area tools

Aspherics up to 500 nm diameter in optical glass or in ceramic substrates have been fabricated using area- compensated polishing tools and conventional optical shop machines. The tool forms are derived starting from the actual shape of the part under figuring. The figure error is measured using an interferometer mounted on-line with the polishing machine. Measurements are taken after each polishing step to compute the new tool form. The process speeds up the fabrication of aspheres and it improves repeatability in the manufacturing of axisymmetrical optics using moderate cost equipment's up to astronomical requirements. In the paper we present some examples of polishing results using the above mentioned approach on different aspherics for space applications.