Verification and in situ calibration of large-aperture null correctors for convex aspheric mirrors

Interferometric test of large convex aspheres with high accuracy is still an urgent problem. Adopting a large-aperture null corrector is usually inevitable, and it is imperative to certify the large-aperture null optics in case incorrect final shape of the aspheric mirror is obtained. Moreover, it is necessary to calibrate and remove errors of the large-aperture null lens and trace errors to surfaces that are easy to obtain high accuracy. For these purpose, this paper presents an in situ calibrated null test method. The large aperture null corrector for convex aspheric mirror is verified and calibrated by a wisely designed small aperture certifying null whose surfaces are either flat or spherical which are easy to be fabricated, measured and assembled. A redundant test is implemented by a Zygo VeriFire Asphere interferometer for cross test. Compared with existing methods of certificating null correctors which utilize an expensive CGH or a self-aligning aspherical mirror, the presented method finally traces errors of a large-aperture null corrector to small aperture flat and spherical surfaces thus costs are expected to be saved dramatically. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.