Precision Optics Manufacturing of Large Hemispherical Domes

In previous work supported by the DoD SBIR program TA&T demonstrated an effective manufacturing route for spinel dome blanks. As discussed in the previous section, however, creating an effective process for the surface conditioning of the dome is essential to manufacturing them on a large scale. This Phase I will focus on an analysis of the manufacturing steps for a multi-layer dome to identify those steps which have the greatest contribution on the transmitted wavefront error of the finished dome. The feasibility study will propose techniques or processes which minimize the introduction of errors into the wavefront and evaluate deterministic polishing as a means correct the dome transmitted wavefront to meet the specification. To produce the feasibility study an investigation into current practice will highlight where wavefront error is being introduced and in the second portion of the study deterministic polishing, focusing on magnetorehological methods, will be investigated as a method for removing wavefront error.