Re: [ATM] Too Small Optics-( and flex produced optics)

["Bill Kelley" <flex@commspeed.net>]

Don's speculation is exactly right.

Alan Adler working with a Parks optician did just that for a convex asphere. 
Off axis mirror segments are figured ( I hear ) this way at the U of A 
mirror lab and released. Adler and I have frequently responded to list 
questioners who asked if the flex tensioning schemes could be used in 
compression to produce spheres that would spring when unloaded into 
appropriate aspheres. Yes, of course.
. Such an application to production of high end,ultra smooth, aspheric 
commercial optics would seem obvious.  Alan, who controls the patents has 
made some effort to market the process, but no takers yet.  I am also an 
owner and no one has shown any interest.

Bill Kelley


>
> Andy S. wrote:
>>
>> They dont..they just control the spherical surfaces
>> to close tolerances..small steeply curved surfaces
>> will naturally assume a spherical shape when lapped & polished.
>> You can test the finished objective by viewing a resolution
>> pattern with it..these patterns can have <1 micron spacing.
>
> I have often wondered if asphere surfaces can't be made in a similar way 
> to
> Schmidt's original vacuum method. By deforming optics and polishing a
> sphere, then releasing the deforming forces. You could end up with  super
> smooth surfaces by polishing with a full contact sphere. Don't see why 
> this
> would be limited to small optics with modern actuators, sensors .(piezo,
> LVDT, etc.), computers and FEA software.
>
> Don Clement
> Running Springs, California
>
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>
> 


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