Patent ID: 6977730

Claim:
Interferometric measurement apparatus for measuring multi-surfaced optical assemblies, said interferometric measurement apparatus comprising: at least one interferometric measurement system configured and arranged to measure the shape, orientation, and distance to a surface at which it is directed, said interferometric measurement system having only a single reference surface; a motion stage for precisely moveably mounting a multi-surfaced optical assembly so that its surfaces can be sequentially presented to said interferometric system for measurement with respect to said single reference surface thereof to provide information indicating the shape, orientation, and distance to each surface measured; and control means for exchanging signals and data between said interferometric measurement system and said motion stage for precisely moveably mounting a multi-surfaced optical assembly, receiving said information from said measurement system about each of said surfaces of said multi-surfaced optical assembly presented to said interferometric measurement system, determining the quality and relationships among said measured surfaces, and providing signals to provide precise control over the location and movement of said measured surfaces in coordination with data acquired by said interferometric measurement system.