Integration of full-spectrum metrology and polishing for rapid production of large aspheres, Phase I

Integration of three proven, non-contact, optical metrology techniques with an emerging new polishing approach in a single machine will enable the rapid production of large aspheric mirrors with nanometer-class overall accuracy, excellent smoothness, and nearly arbitrary radius of curvature (concave or convex) and aspheric form. Two of the metrology approaches are a multi-point profilometer that we have previously demonstrated to have nanometer-level accuracy for low spatial frequencies; and a curvature-measuring profilometer that we have previously demonstrated to have 0.1-nanometer-level accuracy for mid-spatial frequencies. In addition, we propose the simple addition of a scatterometry-based measurement head for high spatial frequencies. The baseline polishing approach is fluid jet polishing, which has been shown to be capable of both fine grinding and polishing. A new understanding of the synergism of these metrology techniques with ductile polishing promises to take in situ metrology and optical fabrication to a major new level. NASA is continually pushing the frontier in astronomical and earth-observing optical systems. Many of these systems, whether they operate in the x-ray (at normal incidence), ultraviolet, visible, or infrared, have the meter-class (and beyond) optics that would greatly benefit from this technology.

This is a mature technology (TRL 7+) — the realistic path in is usually NASA's Technology Transfer Program: licensing an existing NASA patent, or a Space Act Agreement to use NASA facilities/expertise directly. NASA also runs a startup licensing program with no upfront fee for companies formed to commercialize a specific NASA technology.

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