Press Forging Of Lenses For Infrared Optical Systems

R. H. Anderson; K. M. Leung; F. M. Schmit; J. F. Ready

doi:10.1117/12.932721

31 March 1982 Press Forging Of Lenses For Infrared Optical Systems

R. H. Anderson, K. M. Leung, F. M. Schmit, J. F. Ready

Proceedings Volume 0306, Contemporary Methods of Optical Fabrication; (1982) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.932721
Event: 25th Annual Technical Symposium, 1981, San Diego, United States

Abstract

A cost effective method for fabricating lenses for infrared optical systems has been developed. The method involves press forging of halide single crystals to produce a finished lens, without need for polishing. In particular we have used the press forging approach to fabricate a KBr color corrector lens. The lens is plano-concave and was designed for use in a forward looking infrared (FLIR) imager module. A KBr single crystal is deformed by forging using a two step process in helium atmosphere at 4000 psi. The first step deforms the crystal 60% and is done at 250°C. This forging is shaped and water polished. The second forging produces a final optical surface finish and figure. The finished optical surfaces are replicated from pyrex dies at 225°C. The finished lens is optically and mechanically centered prior to testing. The surface figures of the optical surfaces are complicated but a double pass transmission test shows the wavefront distortion to be typically about 1 λ at 0.6328pm. Two wavelength holography and a shearing plate optical test both predict acceptable performance at 8-12μm.*

Citation Download Citation

R. H. Anderson, K. M. Leung, F. M. Schmit, and J. F. Ready "Press Forging Of Lenses For Infrared Optical Systems", Proc. SPIE 0306, Contemporary Methods of Optical Fabrication, (31 March 1982); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.932721

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