The application of ion beams to figure optical surfaces has been examined for a number of years by several groups of investigators. The technique is generally intended to perform final figuring on surfaces which are several optical waves from what is desired. However, until recently the technique has not offered promise to be an efficient, practical method to figure optics.
The application of ion beams to the figuring of optical surfaces has been examined for a number of years by several groups of investigators. The technique is generally intended to perform the final figuring of surfaces which have several optical waves of error relative to the desired figure. Until recently, ion beam figuring has not offered promise to be an efficient, practical method for figuring optics.
