Abstract

For all of the precision available using heterodyne interferometers to measure wavefronts, they still are inadequate for some finer points of lens molding development. Wavefronts can have the same root mean square optical path difference (RMS-OPD) and yet have greatly different wavefront shapes and performance. The Error Distribution Test (EDT) introduced here is a method derived from the Chi Square statistical test. It examines the distribution of spheric, comatic, astigmatic, and general residual aberration derived from the Zernike analysis performed on each of the two wavefronts to be compared. A coefficient results from comparing the two wavefronts. The coefficient is compared with an experimentally derived confidence interval. A resulting conclusion can be relative to the null hypothesis that the two wavefronts have the same distribution of errors.

© 1986 Optical Society of America