Magnetorheological finishing of edges of optical elements

Details Magnetorheological finishing of edges of optical elements Magnetorheological finishing of edges of optical elements

1996-02-21

1997-04-01

Smith, James G.

Abrading

Abrading process

Utilizing fluent abradant

451113, 451 43, B24B 100

Patent

active

056160666

ABSTRACT:
Method and apparatus using magnetorheological fluid for finishing a non-image-forming edge of an optical element to a very high degree of smoothness and for removing microscopic fissures from such edges, the method comprising positioning an optical element near a continuous carrier surface such that a converging gap is defined between an edge of the optical element and the carrier surface, the element being disposed such that image-forming refractive and reflective surfaces thereof do not create a gap with the carrier surface; applying a magnetic field substantially at the gap; introducing a magnetorheological fluid onto the carrier surface; driving the magnetorheological fluid through the gap to cause a flow of magnetic field-stiffened magnetorheological fluid through this gap to create a work zone and to form a transient finishing tool for removing material from the edge of the optical element; and moving the optical element relative to the work zone to expose different portions of the edge to the fluid for predetermined time periods to finish the edge to a predetermined degree. The lateral extent of fluid may be broad enough to permit polishing of a plurality of optical elements simultaneously on a single carrier surface, or a plurality of finishing stations may be ganged to finish a plurality of optical elements on a plurality of carrier surfaces.

REFERENCES:
patent: 2735232 (1956-02-01), Simjian
patent: 4175930 (1979-11-01), Sakulevich et al.
patent: 4186528 (1980-02-01), Yascheritsyn et al.
patent: 4821466 (1989-04-01), Kato et al.
patent: 5449313 (1995-09-01), Kordonsky et al.
Magnetorheological finishing: a deterministic process for optics manufacturing; S.J. Jacobs, et al; Proc. Int'l. Conf. on Optical Fabrication and Testing, Aug. 1995 (Conference date Jun. 5-7, 1995, Tokyo, Japan).

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