The primary goal of optical fabrication is to produce optical components with highly accurate shapes and surface finishes to ensure optimal performance in optical systems.

Glass is a widely used material in optical fabrication due to its excellent optical properties, such as high transparency, low dispersion, and resistance to wear and tear.

Grinding is the process of shaping an optical component using a rotating abrasive wheel to remove material and achieve the desired shape.

Polishing is a process used to achieve a smooth and reflective surface on an optical component by removing microscopic irregularities and defects.

Coating an optical component can serve various purposes, including enhancing light transmission, reducing light reflection, improving durability, or modifying the optical properties of the component.

Anti-reflective coating, reflective coating, and polarizing coating are all common types of optical coatings used to modify the optical properties of components.

Lapping is the process of removing material from an optical component using a slurry of abrasive particles to achieve a precise shape and surface finish.

Interferometry is a common method for measuring the surface quality of an optical component by analyzing the interference patterns created by light waves reflected from the surface.

Cementing is the process of bonding two or more optical components together using an adhesive material, such as epoxy or UV-curable glue.

Spherical aberration, coma, and astigmatism are all common types of optical fabrication errors that can affect the performance of optical systems.

Optical testing is the process of evaluating the optical performance of a component or system to ensure that it meets the desired specifications.

Interferometry is a common type of optical testing method used to analyze the surface quality and optical properties of components and systems.

Alignment and tuning are processes used to adjust the optical properties of a component or system to achieve optimal performance.

CNC machines, lathes, and milling machines are all commonly used in optical fabrication for various processes such as shaping, cutting, and polishing.

Trimming and edging are processes used to remove unwanted material from the edges of an optical component to achieve the desired shape and size.