AOM is a vertically integrated optical metrology company that offers equipment and services that can be combined to create the test systems required by any project or program.
AOM provides unique products, such as CGH nulls, that allow for the exact measurement of complicated optical surfaces and subsystems. It also provides complete alignment solutions, precise optomechanics, and exceptional engineering services.
AOM’s test systems are designed to meet the demands of optical fabrication and measurement. AOM relieves users of the burden of metrology engineering so that teams can concentrate on their areas of expertise.
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Metrology System Configuration
AOM provides an extensive range of assistance, ranging from individual components for self-assembled test configurations to comprehensive metrology solutions for turnkey systems that are ready for production.
Level 1 - Standalone CGH Null
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The Core of a Metrology System - A highly precise optical reference for complicated optical surfaces and subsystems.
What It Does - Converts an interferometer wavefront into a tailored wavefront for the surface or system being tested.
Benefits - Experienced users who have sufficient time and analysis to build up a test.
Consider More - If less experienced users demand simplicity of use or precise alignment to mechanical datums.
Level 2 - CGH with Alignment
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The Basic Metrology System enables positive-feedback test alignment and convenience of use with a customer-defined test optic mount.
What It Does - Alignment patterns on the CGH offer optical fiducials that are co-aligned with the null pattern, allowing for precise test optic alignment.
Benefits - Easy setup for increased production capacity and optical surface alignment feedback to mechanical datums.
Consider More - If the team lacks expertise in designing and fabricating metrology test setups.
Level 3 - CGH with Metrology Platform (MP)
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Enhanced Metrology System, allowing for favorable feedback on test alignment and simplicity of use using the AOM-designed Metrology Platform.
What It Does - Mounts the test optic using mechanical datums and delivers alignment feedback to CGH with optical targets on MP.
Benefits - Easy setup for increased production capacity and optical surface alignment feedback to mechanical datums.
Consider More - If uncertainty analysis and interferometer integration are required in a full turnkey system.
Level 4 - Complete Test Set
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A turnkey test setup makes pre-aligned interferometer, CGH, and test reference possible, making it easy to employ sophisticated or high-volume production optics.
What It Does - Offers comprehensive metrology for tests explicitly designed for high-value or high-volume optics.
Benefits - Fabrication and production settings require efficient and precise setup and alignment.
Add-Ons - Software & Accessories for Any Level
Upgrade the test configuration using:
- Morpheus™ CGH Metrology Software for rapid and straightforward calibration and morphing of data
- Alignment targets for metrology systems that are specially designed
- Mounts and blanks for bespoke part holders, with an easy interface to conventional stages
- Assistance with metrology engineering for uncertainty analysis or test setup consulting
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Metrology Systems in Action
A variety of Metrology Systems examples are listed here, demonstrating the types of surfaces that can be measured. The examples show only a fraction of the conceivable test surfaces.
CGH With Alignment Patterns (Level 2)
A collaborative effort has led to the development of a test setup comprising a bespoke 6-inch CGH with a null pattern devised by AOM alongside an alignment strategy tailored by the customer.
The null pattern produces the desired wavefront for measuring a 1.6 m off-axis parabola (OAP) main telescope mirror with an off-axis distance of 1.1 m. The test optic must be aligned with the CGH, requiring six degrees of freedom for alignment.
AOM created the CGH with alignment patterns that adhered to strict standards after the customer specified an alignment approach that would interface with fixturing in their test setup.
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Freeform Metrology System (Level 3)
A metrology test setup was developed for a freeform mirror, which constitutes one surface of a 3-mirror anastigmat. The test, comprising the CGH and Metrology Platform, was designed and fabricated by AOM to offer alignment feedback and facilitate ease of use for multiple unit measurements. It encompasses:
- Alignment technique for controlling 6 degrees of freedom alignment
- 3-inch CGH with null to evaluate the optical surface
- Required alignment patterns in the CGH that form optical fiducials to enable the alignment method
- Metrology Platform for mounting the part and holding optical alignment targets
- Standard mounting and alignment stages
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7-Inch Diameter Convex Asphere Metrology System (Level 3)
A metrology test setup was created for a 7-inch convex SPDT mirror, utilizing a 9” CGH and holographic diverger to stretch the beam from a 4-inch interferometer to a 9-inch test diameter. AOM planned and built the whole test to provide comprehensive coverage of the aperture and snapshot feedback over the whole surface. The test includes:
- Alignment strategy to control 5-degree-of-freedom alignment of the test optic to the CGH
- 9-inch CGH with null to test the optical surface
- Required alignment patterns in the CGH that form optical fiducials to enable the alignment method
- Metrology Platform for mounting the part and holding optical alignment targets
- Expands the 4-inch beam to a test diameter of more than 9-inch using a holographic diverging element
- Standard mounting and alignment stages
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1 m Diameter Primary Mirror Metrology System (Level 4)
When fabricating mirrors measuring 1 m or larger, metrology demands substantial attention. AOM addressed this need by devising a comprehensive test set for a customer seeking turnkey metrology and measurement calibration, encompassing uncertainty analysis. The test set comprised:
- 6-inch phase CGH with alignment patterns for CGH to mirror alignment for the null test of a 1 m aspheric primary mirror
- Custom staging for remote operation, alignment of the CGH, and calibration artifact for the interferometer
- Precision vertex surrogate for axial and lateral mirror alignment to CGH based on CGH alignment patterns
- Test procedures for using the hardware
- Test uncertainty analysis
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Off-Axis Parabola (OAP) Metrology System (Level 3)
A metrology test system was designed for a 4-inch aperture off-axis parabola (OAP). AOM created and built the test (CGH + Metrology Platform) to offer feedback for alignment and convenience while measuring numerous units. This includes:
- Alignment technique for controlling 6 degrees of freedom alignment
- 3-inch CGH with null for testing the optical surface
- Required alignment patterns in the CGH that form optical fiducials to enable the alignment method
- Metrology Platform for mounting the part and holding optical alignment targets
- Standard mounting and alignment stages
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Direct-Mount Optical Metrology (Level 4)
A direct-mount CGH and upward-looking fold CGH stage allow for rapid and easy measurements of aspheric optics.
Leverage gravity to install optics to the CGH's specifically engineered mounting mechanisms, which automatically align the test. Pick-and-place test optics are used to expedite metrology in production situations. Benefits include:
- Flexibility to change horizontal interferometer to vertical on-demand
- Use gravity for pick-and-place optic mounting and alignment with CGH
- Test alignment DOFs should be lowered or eliminated to facilitate production use
- Accepts AOM standard 6-inch mechanical cell (C6)
- CGH carrier tilt and integrated CGH tip/tilt alignment
- 4-inch and 6-inch interferometer apertures accommodated
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Applications Ideally Suited for CGHs
AOM's products are quick, accurate, reasonably priced, and customized to meet manufacturing needs.
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Volume Production of Complex Optics
AOM provides metrology solutions that are easy to use, reliable, rapid, and repeatable for measuring complex optics and systems in production settings.
- Defense imaging/surveillance/reconnaissance systems
- Commercial and consumer camera optics
- AR/VR/MR headset optics
- Space telescope constellation mirrors and systems
- Heads-up display optics
High-Value One-Off Optics
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High-value, low-volume optics that are accurate every single time.
- High-energy laser systems
- Big Science research instruments
- Ground and space-based multi-meter-class telescope mirrors
- X-Ray beamline mirrors