Optical Figure Metrology for Deep Concave and Ogive Domes

This is a Phase I proposal to develop an instrument for determining the optical figure of a new generation of infrared domes, such as tangent ogives, which are being developed to improve drag, range, speed, and payload capabilities of missiles. Since the optical tolerances achieved in the manufacture of missile domes have an important bearing on the performance capabilities of the systems that employ these domes, instrumentation and techniques for precision metrology are vital for quality assurance. The proposed work will demonstrate a technique for full aperture precision metrology of deep concave and ogive domes. The Phase I study is anticipated to yield instrument designs that incorporate an extremely robust, reliable, and accurate wavefront sensor for precision metrology of a transmitted wavefront, together with a projection system and data stitching procedure that cover the full aperture. The proposed wavefront sensor comprises a derivative of MetroLaser’s widely used PhaseCamTM, a digital holographic interferometer, bringing the power and benefits of digital holography to meet the requirements set out in this solicitation. For the Phase I study, we propose to employ an existing PhaseCamTM instrument to accelerate progress towards production of useful experimental data from tests conducted on existing optical elements.BENEFITS: This development program is anticipated to provide a unique system for high accuracy testing of domes and optics vital to a variety of military seeker and sensor systems. The ability to evaluate these components to high tolerances is further anticipated to provide new standards for manufacturing and quality control. This development will, therefore, have a corresponding and widespread impact on the performance capabilities of the many systems that incorporate these components. The improvements gained by these measures may also provide substantial cost benefits compared to alternative, more complex, and expensive solutions. Further potential applications and commercial possibilities are predicted for systems employed in security monitoring, marine observation and metrology, and atmospheric monitoring.