Abstract

The AFM can be a valuable tool used for studying the surface topography of materials. In this case, we have studied the surface topography of optical glass surfaces that have been ground with diamond matrix cutting tools. Two different tools were used in the grinding process, one ring tool contained 10 20pm diamonds and the other ring tool consisted of 6-12μm diamonds. The ring tools were set up on the OPTICAM SM system. Twelve glass samples were ground, two of each of the different optical glasses( K7, BK7, SK7, F7, SF7, and KzF6) with one sample each undergoing grinding by each of the two diamond ring tools. Grinding parameters were kept constant for all of the samples. The purpose of this study was to characterize the grinding behavior and characteristics of the different optical glasses. A goal for the future is to relate the topographical information from the AFM images to the material properties of the different glasses. In addition, it may be possible to vary the grinding parameters for the different optical glasses in order to optimize the end surface of the glasses.

© 1994 Optical Society of America