Read more.

The post Metrology for Efficient Assembly, Integration, and Testing of Space Telescopes appeared first on AOM - Arizona Optical Metrology.

The post Case Study: Critical Optomechanical Alignment Enabled by the View MM Benchmark appeared first on AOM - Arizona Optical Metrology.

Read the full article

Learn about Morpheus software

The post CGH Test Alignment Correction with Morpheus appeared first on AOM - Arizona Optical Metrology.

Katie joins AOM with over 20 years’ experience in instrumentation and measurement systems, including seven years as a Physical Scientist at the US Naval Research Laboratory. She holds a  B.S. in Optics from the University of Rochester, and her expertise spans measurement and modeling, image and signal processing, and field trial support. She will be based in our Rochester, NY office.

We’re excited to have her expertise to help our clients find the right optical metrology solutions. Welcome to the team, Katie!

The post Meet AOM Sales Engineer Katie Tepfer appeared first on AOM - Arizona Optical Metrology.

AZoOptics sat down with Arizona Optical Metrology’s Logan Graves to learn how our Morpheus™ software provides fast, automated CGH data correction for greater accuracy and efficiency.

Read the full interview at AZoOptics

Learn about Morpheus software

The post How Morpheus Transforms CGH-Based Optical Metrology appeared first on AOM - Arizona Optical Metrology.

Thanks for everything, Sam! We’ll miss having you in the office.

The post Happy National Intern Day! appeared first on AOM - Arizona Optical Metrology.

The post What is a Computer-Generated Hologram (CGH)? appeared first on AOM - Arizona Optical Metrology.

This image captures a small section of NSF–DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory’s view of the Virgo Cluster, offering a vivid glimpse of the variety in the cosmos. Visible are two prominent spiral galaxies, three merging galaxies, galaxy groups both near and distant, stars within our own Milky Way, and much more.
NSF–DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory

The Vera C. Rubin Observatory recently released its breathtaking first images, opening a new era for deep-sky exploration. Originally called the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST), Rubin will build an unprecedented dataset of the universe, a collection of wide-field images of the night sky taken every few nights for ten years!

What many may not realize is that tucked behind these astonishing images is the quiet work of precision metrology, and AOM is proud to have played a key role in all three mirrors and the corrector lenses.

A Mirror Like No Other

The telescope itself uses three large mirrors, but the primary (first reflection) and tertiary (third reflection) mirrors are manufactured onto a single lightweight piece of glass—an extraordinary engineering feat.

AOM co-founder Dr. Jim Burge was deeply involved in the mirror’s design, fabrication, and metrology while at the University of Arizona’s Richard F. Caris Mirror Lab.

AOM co-founder Dr. Chunyu Zhao supported the metrology by providing three different computer-generated holograms (CGHs): one to certify the PM null lens, and two more for directly testing and certifying the tertiary mirror.

Scanning the Sky’s Convex Eye

The convex 3.4 m diameter M2 mirror mated to its active cell and mounted in the metrology tower ready for testing.

The giant convex secondary mirror presented its own unique challenge. It was tested at L3Harris (formerly Exelis) using a custom-built scanning and stitching interferometer developed by Cormic Merle, now Director of Metrology Systems at AOM in Rochester.

William J. Gressler, Douglas R. Neill, John Bagnasco, Paul J. Lotz, Dave Mills, Mike Warner, Oliver Wiecha, Gregory N. Bogan, James M. Ellis, Dale C. Zajac, Steven A. Szklany, Ronald T. Broccolo, Malcolm N. O’Sullivan, Frank A. Carbone, Cormic K. Merle, “LSST secondary mirror assembly,” Proc. SPIE 10700, Ground-based and Airborne Telescopes VII, 1070019 (6 July 2018); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2311316

The system collected 480 measurements using a 27-inch CGH, a 40-inch transmission flat, and a massive collimator—all rotating around the suspended mirror to build a full-aperture map, resolving details as small as 3 mm (>600 cycles/aperture).

Cormic led the development of the system, but he’s quick to note that the project wouldn’t have been possible without the critical contributions of current AOM Senior Project Manager Melissa Ryczek, who operated the test setup and processed much of the data as an Optical Technician at the time. “If it weren’t for her, I’d probably still be there processing the data,” he said. “She was my right hand.”

World’s Largest Contact Lenses

The Rubin camera includes two massive lenses—measuring over 1.6 and 1.2 meters in diameter and just over 82 mm and 30 mm thick—earning them the nickname “the world’s largest contact lenses.”

These optics were fabricated, measured, and assembled at Arizona Optical Systems (AOS), co-founded by Jim Burge. Computer-generated holograms from AOM were used to measure the surfaces of the lenses, the lens alignment in the carbon fiber cell, and the final transmitted wavefront for the assembly.

From Holograms to the Heavens—and Beyond

RubinObs/NOIRLab/SLAC/DOE/NSF/AURA/H. Stockebrand

At AOM, we’re honored to have contributed to the Rubin Observatory—a project that exemplifies what’s possible when precision engineering meets astronomical ambition. The same expertise that supports billion-dollar, one-of-a-kind instruments is available to help our customers tackle demanding optical challenges of their own.

Our team brings deep, hands-on experience in optical metrology—from designing CGHs for massive telescope mirrors to aligning ultra-thin lenses with micron precision. Today, we’re applying that knowledge to commercial and research applications where the technical stakes are just as high, but the budgets and timelines are often much tighter.

Want to learn how computer-generated holograms or other products from AOM can streamline your next large optics project? Explore our custom CGH and optical alignment capabilities or contact us to get started.

The post Behind the Scenes of the Rubin Telescope: How AOM Helped Shape the Sky’s Sharpest Eye appeared first on AOM - Arizona Optical Metrology.

Welcome to another edition of ️🌟Light Works🌟, your inside scoop for all things AOM.

The days are getting longer, the temperatures are creeping up, and we’re staying busy here at AOM. The June 2025 edition of our newsletter includes:

• Recent event highlights – From DCS in Orlando and OPIE in Japan to two Arizona-based events, including our most recent CGH Master Class
• Spotlight on Morpheus – The latest updates and bug fixes to keep your CGH data processing smooth and effortless
• Spotlight on education – Our first in a new series highlighting education partners, starting with Pima Community College
• We’re hiring – Our Rochester office is looking for a passionate sales engineer to round out the team
• Where in the world to find us this summer and early fall – Beyond Tucson and Rochester, of course!

Read on to learn more!

In Recent News

As we ease (or race in the southwest) into summer, we’re excited to share a few highlights from the past couple of months — from hands-on events in our community to specialized training sessions. Here’s a quick look at what we’ve been up to!

SPIE Defense + Commercial Sensing​

SPIE DCS was a great chance to show off what the Argus Alignment™ Method can do — and a little of our style, too! Cormic rocked his fringe shoes, Shelby sported holographic ones, and our team demonstrated how Argus makes telescope alignment faster, more accurate, and a whole lot less painful. Whether you missed us in Orlando or just want to learn more, get in touch and let’s talk precision.

OPIE (Optics & Photonics International Exhibition)

In Yokohama, Japan, we teamed up with Enable K.K. at OPIE this past April to show how AOM makes measuring complex freeform optics a whole lot simpler. Tyler Steele was there demonstrating how our computer-generated holograms (CGHs) and Morpheus software team up to measure freeform components quickly, accurately, and without the headaches.

CGH Master Class

In May, we welcomed 12 participants from all over the world — from New York and Massachusetts to Israel, the Czech Republic, Germany, and California — for our CGH Master Class in Tucson. It was a rich, hands-on experience filled with deep dives into CGH metrology, a festive evening at AOM, and even a behind-the-scenes tour of the U of A mirror lab.

Missed it this time? Keep an eye out for the next one — dates are TBD, but we’d love to see you there!

International Day of Light Celebration

AOM was proud to sponsor and volunteer at Optics Valley’s International Day of Light celebration at Flandrau Science Center & Planetarium. Tyler and Shelby were there with hands-on demos, sharing the magic of light and optics with a crowd that ranged from curious kids to seasoned scientists.

It was a great opportunity to connect with our community and celebrate all things photonics — a big thanks to Optics Valley for making it happen!

Spotlight on Morpheus

Welcome to our new Morpheus Spotlight series, where we highlight the latest improvements, fixes, and behind-the-scenes polish that make your CGH data analysis smoother and smarter. The latest release includes some new great features to improve the ease and accuracy of processing your measurements.

What’s New in Version 2.0.5

• 1 – Hover Tool Tips
  We have introduced hover tool tips, so you can quickly simply hover over an aspect in Morpheus and read exactly what its function is.
• 2 – Mirrored Detector Support
  We all know light travels left to right, but such a rule doesn’t exist for how detectors on your interferometer read out data. This could lead to ‘flipped’ measurements. Fortunately, Morpheus now handles this, and can identify flipped data and correct it.
• 3 – Fringe Units
  When you setup your metrology test, you tend to work to reduce the fringes across your measurement. Now, Morpheus supports reporting uncertainty of your setup in fringe units, allowing you to directly report how many fringes remained after aligning your CGH to the interferometer which is reflected in the uncertainty report.
• 4 – Expanded Data Type Support
  Morpheus now supports .dat files, with any number of fiducials. It also added support for 4D data files of ‘averaged’ measurements. This now results in support for .dat, .datx, .4D, and .h5 files!

Want more tips or a walkthrough? Let us know! We’re happy to schedule a demo with you.

Spotlight on Education: Pima Community College

At AOM, we know that a thriving optics ecosystem depends on strong connections between industry and education. In this new series, we’re highlighting the schools that are training the next generation of innovators—and partnering with us to make cutting-edge metrology more accessible.

Partner Highlight: Pima Community College

When we needed a state-of-the-art facility to host our CGH Master Class, Pima Community College welcomed us into their Advanced Manufacturing Building at the downtown campus. From the high-tech lab spaces to the incredibly supportive staff, the experience was seamless.

Pima has long been a champion of optics in Southern Arizona, offering hands-on machining courses and investing in a growing optics program to meet the region’s workforce needs. We’re proud to collaborate with an institution that shares our passion for precision, education, and community.

Stay tuned as we continue to spotlight other educational partners shaping the future of optics.

Our Team is Growing!

We’re on the lookout for a Sales Engineer to join our Rochester, NY team.

As a Sales Engineer at AOM, you’ll play a vital role in supporting our customers and connecting their needs with our unique products and services. From scoping and specifying custom optical metrology solutions to guiding clients toward the right fit, you’ll help ensure every solution meets their technical and operational goals.

If you’re passionate about optics, love solving problems, and thrive in a collaborative environment, we’d love to hear from you.

Check out the details and apply here: https://portal.aom.us/jobs

Where in the World is AOM

From Tucson & Rochester to Munich & Shenzhen, AOM goes the distance to be your optical metrology partner. Come visit us!

Laser World of Photonics

24 – 27 June 2025

Munich, Germany

Learn More

WNY Optics Golf Tourney

17 July 2025

Victor, NY, USA

Learn More

SPIE Optics + Photonics

05 – 07 August 2025

San Diego, CA, USA

Learn More

CIOE

10-12 September 2025

Shenzhen, China

Learn More

SPIE Optifab

20-23 October 2025

Rochester, NY, USA

Learn More

ASPE 40th Annual Meeting

03-07 November 2025

San Diego, CA, USA

Learn More

Ready to take your metrology to the next level?

From metrology systems and software to engineering design services, AOM is your optical metrology partner.

Get Started Today

We appreciate you staying connected with us and following all the latest from AOM. Have questions, ideas, or just want to say hi? Get in touch — we’d love to hear from you. Until next time!

Best regards,

The post Light Works – June 2025 appeared first on AOM - Arizona Optical Metrology.

As the seasons shift, so do the latest developments in optics and metrology. Here’s what’s in store:

• CGH Master Class – A few seats remain for future metrology masters like you
• Early 2025 highlights – From Photonics West to two Arizona-based events
• Product news – The official launch of Morpheus™ CGH data processing software & an exclusive look at the Argus Alignment™ Method for telescope subsystems
• Where in the world to find us this spring – Beyond Tucson and Rochester, of course!

Read on to learn more.

Become a CGH Guru this Spring

As the days grow longer and spring approaches, it’s the perfect time to sharpen your skills and expand your expertise. Our CGH Master Class is just two months away, and with only a few seats left, now’s your chance to secure your spot!

This hands-on, immersive course is designed to take you deep into the world of CGH metrology. From the fundamentals of interferometry and diffraction to advanced alignment strategies and post-measurement analysis, you’ll gain invaluable insights from industry experts. Whether you’re new to CGHs or looking to refine your skills, this class will equip you with the knowledge and hands-on experience to master precision metrology.

Don’t miss out—register today before the last seats are gone!

In Recent News

As spring approaches, so does an exciting season of learning, innovation, and industry collaboration. At AOM, we’ve been busy pushing the boundaries of precision, sharing our latest innovations, and connecting with the optics community. Here’s what we’ve been up to—and what’s ahead!

AZ Photonics Days

Sensing and Metrology Session Group; Dr. Shelby Ament was the session chair.

AOM was proud to sponsor this annual event hosted by Optics Valley in January. Dr. Shelby Ament chaired the Sensing & Metrology session, fostering great discussions on the latest optical measurement technologies.

SPIE Photonics West

In San Francisco, Tyler Steele and Drs. Christine Muccianti and Chunyu Zhao represented AOM at Photonics West, where they demonstrated a 9-inch CGH in action! The setup featured an OAP on a movable system, drawing interest from attendees eager to see high-precision metrology in a portable form.

Wyant College of Optical Sciences Industrial Affiliates Spring Workshop

Dr. Christine Muccianti connects with participants at the IA corporate showcase.

Connecting with the next generation of optical engineers is always a highlight. Dr. Christine Muccianti and Tyler Steele attended the Industrial Affiliates event at the University of Arizona, engaging with students and industry leaders while sharing insights into precision metrology and CGH applications.

LASER World of PHOTONICS China

Dr. Chunyu Zhao represented AOM at LASER World of PHOTONICS China, where we teamed up with partners Zygo and Langxin to showcase our CGH metrology systems and software. We’re grateful for the strong partnerships that help bring CGH-based metrology to a global audience. Thank you, Zygo and Langxin, for another great event!

What’s New

Unlock Precision with Morpheus™

AOM’s powerful CGH data processing software transforms CGH measurement data into actionable insights—enabling efficient convergence for advanced optics manufacturing. Reach out today for a demo.

Elevate your optical metrology with Morpheus today!

Argus Alignment™: AOM in the Spotlight

How do you align a multi-element telescope with extreme precision? Our very own Cormic Merle spoke with AZO Optics to discuss AOM’s Argus Alignment™, a method enabling efficient production of space telescope constellations. Discover the challenges, innovations, and solutions behind this novel system.

Read the Interview

Where in the World is AOM

From Tucson & Rochester to Orlando & Yokohama, AOM goes the distance to be your optical metrology partner. Come visit us!

SPIE Defense + Commercial Sensing

15-17 April 2025

Orlando, FL, USA

Learn More

OPIE (Optics & Photonics International Exhibition)

23-25 April 2025

Yokohama, Japan

Learn More

AOM’s CGH Master Class

06 – 08 May 2025

Tucson, AZ, USA

Only a few spots left—don’t miss your chance to become a CGH guru!

Learn More

Optica Design and Fabrication Congress

15 – 19 June 2025

Denver, CO, USA

Learn More

Laser World of Photonics

24 – 27 June 2025

Munich, Germany

Learn More

SPIE Optics + Photonics

05 – 07 August 2025

San Diego, CA, USA

Learn More

Let’s Connect!

Ready to take your metrology to the next level? From metrology systems and software to engineering design services, AOM is your optical metrology partner. Get started today.

With an exciting season ahead, we’re looking forward to more opportunities to innovate, collaborate, and connect with you. Whether it’s at an upcoming event, in our CGH Master Class, or through our latest product advancements, we’re here to support your metrology needs every step of the way.

See you soon—either in person or in the next edition of Light Works!

Best regards,

The post Light Works – March 2025 appeared first on AOM - Arizona Optical Metrology.