Optical assembly of high performance systems typically includes an iterative process of mechanically aligning the components and/or subassemblies in an attempt to optimize system performance. Modern optical polishing processes introduce the added possibility of component level refinishing to yield similar improvements. In this webinar, sponsored by QED Optics, we’ll review why one might consider this approach, discuss some of the design considerations to enable post-assembly corrections, and present examples of improving system performance from single-surface corrections.

Read this technical paper “MRF and its application to high energy laser components and systems”, written by Christopher Hall and Mike DeMarco for the Directed Energy Symposium.

Read this article “‘Contact Lenses for High-power Lasers” published by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.

Rochester, NY, January 27, 2015 – QED Technologies (QED), pioneer and provider of Magnetorheological Finishing (MRF^®) polishing and Subaperture Stitching Interferometry (SSI^®) metrology platforms for the precision optics industry, announces that the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA) has awarded QED Optics a contract to manufacture precision optics for the Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope (DKIST).

QED Optics will manufacture a significant portion of the precision optics and assemblies that constitute the telescope’s Wavefront Correction System (WCS). The WCS compensates for turbulence in the earth’s atmosphere that causes image distortion. Correction of the distortion is critical to ensure sharp, precise telescopic images.

“The Wavefront Correction System is a key element of the telescope, responsible for delivering a diffraction-limited light beam to the DKIST instruments,” said Erik Johansson, Project Manager, Wavefront Correction System. “Its proper operation and performance are fundamental to the DKIST meeting its basic science objectives. AURA selected QED because they demonstrated their ability to manage the entire manufacturing process and to deliver on time and on budget.”

“We are excited to be part of this important project,” said Mike DeMarco, Business Manager of QED Optics. “AURA is a great partner and the demands of the project fit perfectly with QED Optics’ capabilities, from high precision finishing of optics to turnkey manufacturing.”