To meet the need of the Navy in fabrication and measurement of conformal windows, such as toroidal made of spinel, to precise optical tolerances, Applied Science Innovations (ASI) proposes development of the improved Asphere Inspection Extreme (AsphInX), building directly on ASIs successful development of a new tool for metrology on conformal aspheric windows, domes and corrector optics. The proposed improved AsphInX system is a modular attachment for integrating a standard commercial interferometer with an existing optical fabrication tool. The proposed new design will enable measurement of surface shapes of very large and heavy conformal aspheric windows, in a common fabrication process to ensure that the window is finished to specification. Phase I will focus on the design, implementation, and tests of the proposed improved metrology, and on application-specific processing algorithms. In Phase II, the tool will be integrated into a metrology system to be used in production of conformal freeform windows 30 x 30 cm and larger, to reach 50 x 50 cm and larger in Phase III.
Benefit: Conformal windows could be used as sensor windows that conform to the shape of the airframe, and for ynthetic vision systems on commercial aircraft. These windows could increase the pilots field of regard and might be used in locations that would not be suitable for flat windows.
Keywords: conformal window, conformal window, Interferometry, optical fabrication, Optical Metrology
