Last Updated June 28, 2002
Optical Flat Page
To facilitate my Goal #5 (cost control) I chose to make my flat. It turns out that I do not actually need a perfect flat and a long radius sphere will suffice. A long radius sphere is simpler to make using hand methods. I'll post the Zemax simulation results showing the maximum allowable deviation from a flat. To achieve my performance goal I need about 15-20 times magnification per inch of aperture so each of the 3 optical surfaces need to be accurate.
I had 3 pcs. of 8" diameter glass water jet cut. I plan to use the ABC method to make one decent quality optical flat. During the polishing stage I will need to block the outer region of the flat in order to prevent a turned down edge. The photo below illustrates the power of water jet cutting as I had the glass ring cut which precisely fits over the 8". The ring will have a turned edge Vs my flat. The ring is 10" OD and just over 8" ID. Both parts are 3/4" thickness.
I plan to start the flat project in the fall of 2002.
I'll let you know how it goes...
Picture of the 8" glass and the blocking ring.
