Development of Polishing Process for Optical Glass Dome Used in Airborne Electro Optical Payloads

The fabrication and characterization of the optical glass dome is a challenging task due to its dimensions and critical geometry. These are the outermost optical components in any airborne electro optical payloads, which seal the system from the environment and protect the sensors from aerodynamic buffeting. Prolonged exposure of the outer surface of the optical dome reduces its transmission and degrades the performance. In the present work, we have developed a polishing process which utilized a customized subaperture polishing tool and optimized polishing parameters for polishing of optical glass dome. Interferometric and profilometric feedback have been used to maintain the optical tolerances during polishing process. The developed polishing process can also utilize to polish the glass domes to restore its transmission and optical performance without dismantling it with its mechanical assembly which make the process fast and cost effective.