Abstract

Diffractive optical elements, particularly kinoforms, can be fabricated by multi-mask photo-lithography or by diamond turning. At the 3M Optics Technology Center in Petaluma California, we are currently investigating methods to diamond turn such optics. As the aperture of the optic increases and the f/number decreases, the number of discrete zones that must be cut increases and the size of the individual zones becomes smaller. This combination of more and smaller zones provides a challenge -- and an eventual limit -- to diamond turning capabilities. We show how a novel design allows us to diamond turn diffractive optics that are larger and faster than was previously possible, but whose theoretical performance is nearly diffraction limited.

© 1992 Optical Society of America