Project Brief

NIST Measurement Science and Engineering Research Grants

DEVELOPMENT OF ACCURATE METROLOGY FOR FREE-FORM SURFACES

Develop rapid and accurate measurements of free-form shapes, such as those used in solar reflectors for energy and astronomical applications, for improved manufacturing of these surfaces.

RECIPIENT: University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ

Project duration: 3 Years
Total NIST Funding: $1,348,643

Modern manufacturing processes allow fabrication of accurate asymmetric surfaces. Such surfaces are needed for optical systems, molds for replication, solar reflectors, and other industrial and military applications. The principal limitation in the manufacture of these surfaces is the accurate and rapid measurement of their shape. This project will provide significant advances in metrology for free-form shapes. Starting with three existing measurement methods, the researchers will further develop each method, demonstrate their performance, and analyze the results, then provide a plan for commercializing these measurement methods to allow manufacturing of highly accurate free-form surfaces.

Public contact (for project information):

Jim Burge, 520-621-8182
jburge@optics.arizona.edu

NIST Program Office Contact:

Jason Boehm, 301-975-8678
Jason.boehm@nist.gov