More Information
The development and fabrication group maintains a Web presence at
www.optics.arizona.edu/opt_fab Please visit it for information
about personnel and projects, including the Discovery Channel Telescope.
Aspheric Finishing Laboratory
Dr. Jose Sasian. Researchers in this laboratory develop both testing and
finishing techniques for aspheric designs. The research into novel polishing
techniques includes the prototype of a x/y computer controlled polishing machine
and a non-conventional polishing technique. Research is also conducted in
scatterplate interferometers, Ronchi testers and illumination source
characterization.
Diffractive and Micro-Optics Research Laboratory
Dr. Michael Descour and
Mr. John Tamkin. This Laboratory centers around a high-speed Maskless
Grayscale Lithography phototool capable of imaging generic grayscale
bitmaps onto UV photosensitve materials. For example, a 12,000 x 12,000
pixel bitmap with 2 micron pixels can be imaged in under 20 seconds, at
exposure levels up to 500 mJ/cm^2. Research focuses on lithographic
fabrication of microlenses, hyperspectral dispersers, and computer
generated multi-level diffractive optics such as holograms or gratings.
This tool is also capable of binary imaging for general pattern exposure
onto photoresist. Various materials-development projects include hybrid
sol-gel glass investigations for micro-optic printing, organic display
materials, and photo-imageable biocompatible materials for chemical or
bio-detection applications. This laboratory augments Dr. Descour's
Lithography and Micro-Optics Laboratory, including additional optical
bench facilities, and a Hitachi S-800 SEM. For more information
about the Diffractive and Micro-optics Research Laboratory, please visit
www.optics.arizona.edu/microoptics or contact Mr. John Tamkin by
telephone at 520-621-1778 or by email at
jtamkin@optics.arizona.edu.
Large Optics Fabrication and Testing
 Dr. James Burge.The
University of Arizona is world renowned for the ability to manufacture
and measure large optical components and systems such as mirrors and
telescopes. Professor Jim Burge leads a research group that specializes
in developing the technology that enables the production of such
components and systems. This group is pushing the state-of-the-art in
measurement of aspheric surfaces using computer generated holograms,
calibration of interferometers, optical alignment, profilometry,
computer controlled polishing of steep aspheres, engineering of grinding
and polishing tools, control systems for active optics, sampled aperture
measurement for large systems, and precision mechanics and mounting of
optical components.
 Lithography and Micro-Optics
Dr. Michael Descour. Research is dedicated to novel methods of optics
fabrication and assembly of micro-optical systems. Research areas include the
investigation of photosensitive hybrid sol-gel glasses to develop printing of
refractive micro-optical elements with arbitrary surface shapes as well as other
optical elements, such as light guides and phase plates and the development of
novel techniques for zero-alignment assembly of passive and active optical
elements into complete, micro-scale sensing and imaging systems. The laboratory
includes facilities for testing and metrology of miniature optical systems, a
mini-cleanroom, an optical bench, and a chemical-synthesis facility.
Optical Design Laboratory
Dr. Jose Sasian. Research is dedicated to the performance of optical design
research on a variety of topics such as optics for lithography, astronomical
instruments, conformal optics, illumination systems, multiple aperture systems,
and telecommunications. Priorities include the development of optical theories,
optical design tools and specific optical designs.
Optical Design Research Laboratory
Dr. John Greivenkamp. Optical design research in support of optical metrology is
done in this lab. A full range of optical design software is in use.
 Optical Systems Development and Fabrication: The Large Optics Facility
Mr. Martin Valente. The large optics shop facilities include various polishing
machines with turntables up to 4 meters in diameter, a temperature
stabilized and vibration isolated environment, a 37 meter vertical optical test
tower, and a 7 meter vertical optical test tower. The shop is equipped with IR
and visible interferometers, as well as reference optics up to 1.8 meters in
diameter. Examples of current and recent work done in the large optics shop
include fabricating five 0.6 meter diameter off-axis parabolas and two 0.4
meter diameter aspheric collimating lenses to extremely tight tolerances
utilizing new OSC-developed processes in fabrication and testing, research and
development into fabricating lightweight hybrid mirrors for space applications,
research and development into new metrology and fabrication methods for large
convex aspheres, the technology demonstrator for the Next Generation Space
Telescope and a convex mold to be used for the technology demonstrator in the
Far Infrared Space Telescope program. The NGST demonstrator is a 2 meter
diameter, 2 mm thick shell which will be actively controlled for figure
correction. The FIRST mold is a 2 meter diameter f/1 convex sphere which will be
used for demonstrating replicating technology for graphite-composite based
optics.
Optical Systems Development and Fabrication: The Small Optics Facility
Mr. Martin Valente. Shop opticians have vast experience in fabricating precision
optical components from many different types of glasses, ceramics, plastics and
metals. Examples of current and recent work done in the small optics shop
include the fabrication of an all aluminum 24-inch R-C telescope using
specialized polishing techniques for extremely smooth surfaces, assembly and
alignment of large lens assemblies for lithography and two facetted quartz
blocks to be used in the Gravity Probe B spaceborne experiment. These blocks,
roughly 7 inches by 22 inches, have geometrically constrained facets which
prevent the use of standard polishing equipment. The facets were hand polished
and held to one arcsecond orthogonality requirements in two planes. Other recent
work includes several f/0.5 EUV Imager mirrors with eighth wave surfaces and
three Angstrom roughness, an all SXA R-C telescope with a 16 inch diameter foam
SXA primary and 15 element lens bench, and a 10-inch aperture astrographic lens
with diffraction limited performance and zero distortion over a 10 degree field
of view.
Optical Systems Development and Fabrication: The Engineering Facility
Mr. Martin Valente. The engineering team designs optical support structures,
telescopes, test instruments and related equipment. They also perform mirror
structural design, structural analysis and opto-mechanical research on various
subjects, including the optimization and mounting of lens systems and mirrors.
They have designed large optical telescopes and telescope subsystems,
space-based detectors, large and small lens barrel assemblies, and airborne
optical instruments for government and industry.
Optical Systems Development and Fabrication: The Instrument Facility
Mr. Charles Burkhart. Shop personnel fabricate optical support structures, space
and ground based telescopes, precision optical test instruments and related
equipment.
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