Proposed Method Of Producing Large Optical Mirrors: Single-Point Diamond Crushing Followed By Polishing With A Small-Area Tool

Faster production of large optical mirrors may result from combining single-point diamond crushing of the glass with polishing using a small-area tool to smooth the surface and remove the damaged layer. Diamond crushing allows a surface contour accurate to 0.5 Am to be generated, and the small-area computer-controlled polishing tool allows the surface roughness to be removed without destroying the initial contour. Final contours with an accuracy of 0.04 pm have been achieved.