Analysis of a scanning pentaprism system for measurements of large flat mirrors

Julius Yellowhair, James H. Burge

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

44 Scopus citations

Abstract

The optical surface of a large optical flat can be measured using an autocollimator and scanning pentaprism system. The autocollimator measures the slope difference between a point on the mirror and a reference point. Such a system was built and previously operated at the University of Arizona. We discuss refinements that were made to the hardware, the alignment procedure, and the error analysis. The improved system was demonstrated with a 1.6 m flat mirror, which was measured to be flat to 12 nm rms. The uncertainty in the measurement is only 9 nm rms.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)8466-8474
Number of pages9
JournalApplied optics
Volume46
Issue number35
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 10 2007

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
  • Engineering (miscellaneous)
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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