[2022] Snapshot measurements with CGH interferometry to support volume production of freeform optics

Burge, James H., Shelby Ament, and Jake Beverage. “Snapshot measurements with CGH interferometry to support volume production of freeform optics (Conference Presentation).” Optical Manufacturing and Testing XIV. Vol. 12221. SPIE, 2022.

Abstract:

It is well known that computer generated holograms enable standard interferometers to measure nearly any shape with accuracy of a few nanometers. Most high-precision non-spherical optical surfaces are manufactured based on CGH measurements. Historically, the application of CGH interferometry required a skilled optical engineer to define the test configuration, set up and align the hardware, and reduce the data. In this talk we discuss a different scenario, where the CGH vendor provides not only the hologram, but a kit of hardware and software that eliminates the need for a specialized engineer. The alignment is straightforward, the data acquisition follows the standard procedures for measuring spheres, and the data processing is automatic. Several examples illustrate this paradigm shift, including an autonomous system that loads the optics with a robot and performs snapshot measurements without any adjustment at all. This takes CGH interferometry from the laboratory to the manufacturing floor.

Link to publication.