Finishing of Conformal Optics in Hard Materials

Deterministic microgrinding of aspheric, dome shaped, and conformal optics has become a critical competency for many commercial and military applications. The finishing and polishing of these complex shapes, especially when they have deep concave surfaces is still in need of a robust affordable deterministic solution. Our plan in Phase II for the Finishing of Conformal Optics in Hard Materials is to continue with the very promising research already completed in our Phase I effort which has already determined the feasibility of finishing of the ALON materials to an acceptable level. It has also lead us to the prototype development of a generation II Ultra-Form finishing tool, which will allow us the ability to finish the deep concave dome shapes that are required. Our Phase II proposal will include the development of the prototype "UFO" (Ultra Finishing for Optics) Machining Center, along with the refinement of the UltraForm tooling and process parameters which will provide a flexible, deterministic process for finishing a wide variety of shapes and a broad range of materials including ALON, Sapphire and Spinel.