Scanning interferometer for aspheric surfaces and wavefronts

Abstract

Interferometric scanning method(s) and apparatus for measuring rotationally and non-rotationally symmetric test optics either having aspherical surfaces or that produce aspherical wavefronts by comparing known and unknown spherical and aspherical shapes. Preferably, a spherical or partial spherical wavefront or reflecting surface is defined with respect to a known origin along a scanning axis. The test optic is aligned with respect the scanning axis and selectively moved along it relative to the known origin so that the spherical shape intersects the test optic at the apex of the aspherical shape and at radial positions where the spherical shape and the aspheric shape intersect at points of common tangency. An axial distance, v, and optical path length, p, are interferometrically measured as the test optic is axially scanned by the spherical shape where v is the distance by which the test optic is moved with respect to the origin and p is the optical path length difference between the apex of an aspherical shape associated with the test optic and the apex of the circles of curvature that intersect the aspherical shape at the common points of tangency. Coordinates of the aspherical surface are calculated wherever the circles of curvature have intersected the aspherical shape and in correspondence with the interferometrically measured distances, v and p. Afterwards, the aspheric shape is calculated. Where the test optic comprises a refracting optic a known spherical reflecting surface is provided upstream of the refracting optic for movement along the optical axis and a known wavefront is made to transit the refracting optic, reflects from the known spherical surface, again transits the refracting optic traveling towards the known origin after which the interferogram is formed.