QED Technologies Announces New Metrology Tool For Aspheres

Rochester, NY - QED Technologies (QED), the pioneer and exclusive provider of Magnetorheological Finishing (MRF) and Subaperture Stitching Interferometry (SSI), recently announced the release of the SSI-A, a metrology tool for aspheres.

Interferometric asphere metrology has traditionally required the use of a null lens or computer-generated hologram that must be specially designed for each different aspheric surface. This approach pushes the limits of practicality, given the significant expense and long lead times required to produce the null elements.

QED's newly-developed SSI-A, which is based on the same platform as the SSI, makes full-aperture interferometric measurements of aspheres with no dedicated null lenses by taking several subaperture measurements over the entire work surface and stitching the results together into a lattice to synthesize a full-aperture map. The SSI-A automatically selects an appropriate transmission sphere and then steps through an automated process to complete the measurement. The SSI-A magnifies the subaperture measurements over the full aperture of the asphere, so the subsequent stitching process and lattice design result in superior lateral resolution and overall accuracy.

"We're thrilled about the release of the SSI-A", said Marc Tricard, QED Technologies' Director of Business Development. "Our aim has always been to create enabling solutions for all levels of optics manufacturers and now with the SSI-A, we've created a flexible and accurate interferometric asphere metrology product for the first time. This one metrology tool can measure flats, spheres and aspheres. The SSI-A provides a practical solution to optics system designers to finally enable creative, cost-effective use of aspheres as design elements."

SOURCE: QED Technologies