Advances in diamond-turned surfaces enable unique cost-effective optical system solutions

Corning has developed a number of manufacturing and test techniques to meet the challenging requirements of imaging hyperspectral optical systems. These processes have been developed for applications in the short-wave visible through long-wave IR wavelengths. Optical designs for these imaging systems are typically Offner or Dyson configurations, where the critical optical components are powered gratings and slits. Precision alignment, system athermalization, and harsh environmental requirements, for these systems drive system level performance and production viability. This paper will present the results of these techniques including all aluminum gratings and slits, innovative grating profiles, snap together self-aligning mechanical designs, and visible test techniques for IR systems.