Abstract

The International Standards Organization through its Technical Committee 172, Optics and Optical Instrumentation, has been actively working on drafts of optical standards since 1979. In particular, Subcommittee 1, Fundamental Standards is working in the areas of OTF testing, optical drawing standards and environmental testing. Draft proposed standards are presently being published about the theory and practice of OTF tests for copier and 35mm photographic lenses as well as many facets of environmental testing of optics. The optical drawing standard work is about two years behind the other areas but draft proposals will be published in early 1988. Public comment is encouraged and welcomed. Particularly significant is the standardization work relative to optical surface imperfections or beauty defects. Agreement was reached to use a quantitative photometric micro-image comparison device¹ to grade scratch type defects and to relate the scratch photometric appearance to chrome on glass line width standards. While it will take several years experience with this method to fully assess its practicality and general utility, initial indications are that the method is clearly superior to qualitative comparison or defect area (DIN) based inspection methods.²

© 1987 Optical Society of America