Aspheric lens fabrication and testing at UCO/Lick Observatory

Aspherical surfaces on lenses are difficult to produce and test. There are many innovative approaches used today to address the complexities of this process. The size, quality, and quantity of the lens to be produced dictate the best approach. The UCO/Lick Observatory Optical Lab has fabricated aspheric lenses to diameters over 12 inches using fabrication and testing techniques developed specifically for high quality, one-of-a-kind lenses, with axi-symmetric profiles and significant departures from sphere. This paper describes the manufacturing procedures used at UCO/Lick to fabricate aspheric lenses typical for today's astronomical applications.