Optical Fabrication Science and Technology

This session will be on the fabrication science and technology of optical quality components with focus on, but not limited to, lasers and telescope applications. The age-old field of optical fabrication, which transforms bulk glasses or ceramics via grinding, cutting, polishing, and etching into precision optics, continues its migration from more of an art to a science. Included in this scope will be a multidisciplinary (physics, chemistry, fracture mechanics, mechanics, tribology, etc.) approach to understanding the complex interactions between the workpiece, abrasive or polishing media, and the tool which influence the final workpiece properties (surface quality, surface roughness, and surface figure). In addition, this scope will include novel finishing technologies, techniques, and characterization (metrology) methods that have been recently developed.

organizer:

• Tayyab Suratwala, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, USA