Abstract

Optical engineering has always been characterized by spectacular inventions, beginning with the microscope, through astronomical lenses and nano-precision gyroscopes. Moreover, numerous developments in fields of medicine and communications technology, rely on optical elements. For products of this nature, the use of aspherical optics offers advantages in terms of imaging efficiency, light yield, weight savings, shorter assembly times etc.. The undisputed benefits of aspherical optics in the design of optical systems must, however, be viewed against the background of significant disadvantages associated with their manufacture. Whereas grinding processes have largely been perfected within the classical manufacturing sequence, polishing operations conducted on aspherical optics are considerably more costly and time consuming. Polishing aspherical optics is an iterative process in the case of most machine designs. The aspherical surface is corrected selectively on the basis of measurement results. Measuring instruments, with a sufficiently high level of precision and consistency are also very expensive. The application of ductile grinding technology offers a means of eliminating, or at least of drastically reducing the need for polishing operations. The level of surface quality which can be achieved, is determined principally by the combination of tool and glass material concerned. In contrast, machine characteristics and the wear behavior of the tool play a decisive role in determining the degree of form accuracy. The principles of ductile grinding technology, influencing factors and potential applications are outlined in the following abstract.

© 1999 Optical Society of America