In the optical systems field, key components such as spectroscopic elements often require the use of optical materials with high-refractive indices to achieve miniaturization and lightweight characteristics. However, high-refractive index optical materials have low machinability due to their brittle characteristic. In this study, we investigated the changes in surface characteristics during precision pattern machining of high-refractive index materials; specifically, a low fracture toughness, for use in grating spectroscopic elements. The experiment involved diamond turning for the primary machining, and for the secondary pattern machining, the tool rake angle, tool feed rate, and depth of cut were set as variable conditions. Surface roughness measurements and surface quality analyses were carried out using a white-light interferometer and tool microscopy. The results provide insights into the influence of conditions on the surface properties during the machining of high-refractive index materials for grating spectroscopic components. Under the machining conditions with a tool rake angle of -65o, tool feed rate of 5,000 mm/min, and a depth of cut 10 nm, the surface roughness of Ra 8.0 nm was achieved. Based on these findings, we plan to conduct further research on the mechanical fabrication of the blaze angle for grating spectroscopic components.

Germanium, an optical material, has high transmittance and refractive index and low light scattering in the infrared region, and research is being conducted to utilize it in various industrial fields. Various forms of optical lenses can be subjected to ultra-precision machining with high quality surface roughness, and they form accuracy through single point diamond turning (SPDT). In particular, the diamond tool with a negative rake angle and the u-LAM process that applies a 1,064 nm laser to the material have been studied to fabricate brittle materials into optical lenses. In this study, the effects of process parameters, such as laser power (W), spindle speed (RPM), feed rate (mm/min), and depth of cut (μm), on the surface roughness of a sub-nanometer scale and the occurrence of defects during the machining process were analyzed for Germanium materials. The process of removing these defects was also analyzed.

Demand for optical glass device used for lighting could increase rapidly because of LED lighting market growth. The optical glass devices that have been formed by hot press molding process the desired optical performance without being subjected to mechanical processing such as curve generation or grinding. EL-Max material has been used for many engineering applications because of their high wear resistance, high compressive strength, corrosion resistant and very good dimensional stability. EL-Max is very useful for a glass lens mold especially at high temperature and pressure. The performance and reliability of optical components are strongly influenced by the surface damage of EL-Max during grinding process. Therefore, the severe process condition optimization shall be necessary for the highly qualified EL-Max glass lens mold. To get the required qualified surface of EL-Max, the selection of type of the diamond wheel is also important. In this paper, we report best grinding conditions of ultra-precision grinding machining. The grinding machining results of the form accuracy and surface roughness have been analyzed by using Form Talysurf and NanoScan.

Oblique astigmatism according to the rotation of the eye has to be removed for obtaining peripheral clear vision in ophthalmic lenses. For this reason, we calculated tangential and sagittal power using third-order approximation theory and then controlled conic constant for the difference of the two powers to converge to 0 regardless of the rotation angle of the eye. As a result, an aspherical ophthalmic lens without oblique astigmatism was designed. Also, we found optimal machining condition to the lens material using factorial design and finally fabricated the designed lens through ultra-precision machining with that condition.

In nowadays, the infrared optics is frequently employed to various fields such as military, aerospace, industry and medical. To develop the infrared optics, special glasses which can transmit infrared wave are required. Ge(Germanium), Si(silicon), and fluoride glasses are typically used for material of the infrared optics. Compared with Ge and Si glasses, fluoride glasses have high transmittance in infrared wavelength range. Additionally, UV(ultraviolet) and visible light can be transmitted through fluoride glasses. There characteristics of fluoride glasses makes it possible to evaluate optical performance with generally used visible testing equipment. In this paper, we used design of experiment to find ultra precision machining characteristic of Ge and fluoride glasses and optimized machining process to obtain required form accuracy of PV(Peak to Valley) 0.2 ㎛.

Cylindrical lens core for optical transceiver was designed and machined. With the lens design data, WC asymmetric core surface data were generated for non-revolutional ultra-precision grinding. Grinding process for optimum machining conditions of target surface was studied in terms of surface roughness and form profile. We used experimental results to optimize turbine speed, feed-rate and depth of cut with durable grinding wheel wear. Ground WC cores were measured contact type profilers and verified.

Asymmetric glass lens core for portable projection optic system was designed and simulated. And it was machined by newly developed non-rotational ultra precision grinding method. With the designed lens data which optimized for multi-collimation, we generated the WC core surface data. Mold pressing conditions analyzed by FEM. In the machining process, ground profile errors were compensated based on measured data, minimized feed rate and depth of cut. The deviations of machined core profile were acceptable level for glass mold press. Mold pressed glass array lens was coated with SiO₂ and Ta₂O? for anti-reflection.