Fabrication of a 500 mm extreme freeform conformal window

Matthew Brunelle; Jennifer Coniglio; Joshua Beck; Nick Quattrociocchi; Jessica DeGroote Nelson

doi:10.1117/12.2568007

20 August 2020 Fabrication of a 500 mm extreme freeform conformal window

Matthew Brunelle, Jennifer Coniglio, Joshua Beck, Nick Quattrociocchi, Jessica DeGroote Nelson

Proceedings Volume 11487, Optical Manufacturing and Testing XIII; 1148703 (2020) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2568007
Event: SPIE Optical Engineering + Applications, 2020, Online Only

Abstract

There is a potential need for large (<500 mm diameter) conformal windows for use on air, space, and water craft. These windows need to fit the curvature of the vehicle, which results in extreme freeform geometries. “Extreme Freeforms” are a class of shapes that do not have rotational symmetry, must be polished using sub-aperture techniques, and whose deviation from a best-fit sphere is on the same order as the size of the part. This paper will discuss some of the challenges associated with manufacturing optics of this size and shape and how Optimax solved them. These challenges include: blank acquisition, a lack of viable commercially available polishing platforms for extreme freeform shapes, and metrology. A demonstrator optic was designed and manufactured from fused quartz. Final metrology data for both sides of the window will be shown and discussed.

Conference Presentation

Citation Download Citation

Matthew Brunelle, Jennifer Coniglio, Joshua Beck, Nick Quattrociocchi, and Jessica DeGroote Nelson "Fabrication of a 500 mm extreme freeform conformal window", Proc. SPIE 11487, Optical Manufacturing and Testing XIII, 1148703 (20 August 2020); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2568007

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