Visualization of Grit interactions during polishing

Fluorescing and thermal imaging techniques are being employed on a patented test apparatus, known as the Rapid Renewable Lap (RRL), to provide visualization and new insights of the grit interactions between the lap, slurry and workpiece during the polishing of optical materials. Results thus far have demonstrated visualization to grit sizes of 12 um and below using these techniques. The use of these results to improve existing models, define their limits of validity, and apply them to additional types of lapping and polishing processes is discussed.