Abstract

In testing a large aspheric mirror such as a paraboloid, one uses as interferometric reference a small spherical mirror together with a test glass. The combination of mirror and test glass produces a parabolic wavefront for comparison. Recently holograms have been used as synthetic test glasses. The average fringe distance of the grating-like holograms has to be fine enough if separation of the diffraction orders is required. We propose to use holograms with circular fringes. Now the different diffraction orders come to focus at different locations on the optical axis, where all but one order can be eliminated. This is easily possible, since the waves coming from a mirror with a central hole are hollow cones. Several ways for making these computer-generated circular holograms are suggested.

© 1972 Optical Society of America

Using Computer Generated Holograms to Test Aspheric Wavefronts

J. C. Wyant and V. P. Bennett
Appl. Opt. 11(12) 2833-2839 (1972)

Computer Program for the Analysis of Interferometric Test Data

M. P. Rimmer, C. M. King, and D. G. Fox
Appl. Opt. 11(12) 2790-2796 (1972)

Absolute interferometric test of aspheres by use of twin computer-generated holograms

Stephan Reichelt, Christof Pruss, and Hans J. Tiziani
Appl. Opt. 42(22) 4468-4479 (2003)

Synthesis of Complex Optical Wavefronts

Preston L. Ransom
Appl. Opt. 11(11) 2554-2561 (1972)

Interferometric testing with computer-generated holograms: aberration balancing method and error analysis

Toyohiko Yatagai and Hiroyoshi Saito
Appl. Opt. 17(4) 558-565 (1978)