Precision optics manufacturing using magnetorheological finishing (MRF)

Abstract

Magnetorheological finishing (MRF) is an innovative and powerful new polishing technology for fine figuring of high precision glass optics. MRF may be used to improve precision ground or polished lenses into optics having figure accuracy of better than (lambda) /20 p-v in a matter of minutes. The technique works extremely well for high precision flats and spheres, but its ability to produce high precision glass aspheres reliably, reproducibly, and affordably is its greatest contribution.