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1. INTRODUCTION It is common to think of computer generated holograms (CGH) as artifacts for testing aspheres but they can also be used as general calibration artifacts and fixtures for the alignment and test other more conventional optics. We show how simple Fresnel zone patterns can be created to simulate centers of curvature or axes […]

USING THE CALIBALLTM TO CALIBRATE INTERFEROMETER TRANSMISSION OR REFERENCE SPHERES USING THE RANDOM BALL TEST IS ALMOST FOOL PROOF. However, observing a few simple precautions will improve the results of the calibration. These precautions are detailed in the “Instructions for Using CaliBall” in approximately the order they should be followed.

This webinar with Robert Parks is presented by the OSA Systems and Instrumentation Technical Group. Topics discussed include the evolution of the classical autostigmatic microscope (ASM) into an all-purpose optical alignment tool whose use has been described in over 60 optical engineering papers that illustrate real-world systems applications. The evolution that led to the current […]

MFT was mentioned in five of the papers given at the SPIE Conference on Telescopes in Edinburgh, Scotland at the end of June 2016 by authors from six different international research organizations. PROC. SPIE 99055O, SEE MENTION OF MFT ON P. 19, FIG 18.  The surface roughness measurements of a silicon plate with a multilayer […]

The main reason is that the other two major factors in performance, optical design and optical fabrication, have already been improved to the very limits of what can be accomplished. After spending good money on a near perfect design and fabrication of optical components does it make any sense not to assemble them in perfect […]

OUTLINE DESCRIPTION OF AN ASM First description in English literature is Drysdale, Trans. Opt. Soc. London, 1900 Fig. 2 from the Drysdale paper of 1900 Further from the Drysdale paper CAT’S EYE AND CONFOCAL FOCI CAT’S EYE  Cat’s eye reflection CONFOCAL FOCI  Confocal reflection EXAMPLES OF CAT’S EYE AND COFC SPOT IMAGES OUT OF FOCUS […]