Abstract

Diamond turning (DT) has proven to be a cost effective optical fabrication technique for both aspherical and spherical/flat figures when precise geometrical tolerances are important⁽¹⁾. Diamond turning accuracy and capabilities have been steadily advancing. Our Large Optics Diamond Turning Machine (LODTM) offers state-of-the-art capability for sizes up to 1.6 m diameter. Large optics have been turned to better than 300 Ǻ rms figure accuracy and small non-rotationally symmetric optics have been made to λ/10 in the visible⁽²⁾. Our Precision Engineering Research Lathe (PERL II) has achieved a surface finish of 7 Ǻ rms on electroless Ni⁽³⁾.

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