Measurement of conformal windows with IR-FORM: InfraRed Flexible Optical Ray Metrology

Arizona Optical Systems has developed the breakthrough technology FORM (Flexible Optical Ray Metrology) that measures complex aspheric windows in transmission, providing surface maps of both sides of the window. The FORM measurement system for window metrology uses a custom sensor package that looks through the window at modulated images on a digital display. Powerful tomographic software and careful calibration are used to determine the surface irregularity of both surfaces of the window. Having performed the key demonstration of the FORM technique, we now propose to develop an infrared version of this test, capable of measuring visibly opaque windows that do not transmit visible wavelength light. This system uses thermal radiation from a modulated infrared source detected by a thermal imaging sensor assembly. In Phase I we will perform the key technology demonstration that shows feasibility for this new IR-FORM technique. In Phase II, we will incorporate the IR-FORM technology into a measurement system and use it to measure visibly opaque windows and domes.