Interferometric measurements at Eastman Kodak company

This review paper discusses interferometric applications and developments within Eastman Kodak Company. Four different areas are examined. The first is the testing of mass-produced lenses, particularly molded glass lenses. Specific attention is given to testing of aspheric surfaces. The second general area is the measurement of large optics. An example is the method used to test large mirrors, such as that produced for the Space Telescope program. The third area deals with other uses of interferometry within Kodak. Many of these applications look at surfaces that are not optical surfaces in the traditional sense. The final portion of this paper examines current research and development activities in interferometry. A major need is to test aspheric surfaces that have large departures from a best-fit reference sphere. Progress in implementation of the new sub-Nyquist interferometry technique for extending the measurement range of existing interferometers is reviewed. An underlying theme of this paper is the general move towards aspherics throughout Kodak, with the accompanying need to test these surfaces quickly and easily.