Patent ID: 8089633

Claim:
A method for producing a convex mirror having a desired surface figure quality wherein the mirror under test, the test optic, is treated as a lens prior to applying a reflective coating to the convex surface of the test optic substrate, the method comprising the steps of: a) choosing an optical lens quality material for the test optic substrate, the test optic having a front convex surface side and a rear surface side; b1) polishing the rear surface of the test optic to a nominal surface figure of between 1and 50 test wavelengths; b2) contacting the rear surface of the test optic to a test window, the test window being made from any transmissive and homogeneous optical substrate material and having front and rear surfaces shaped to desired precise surface figures, using a refractive index-matching substance with an index of refraction n matching the Index of refraction of the test optic within a refractive Index matching accuracy of Δn=0.01 to 0.0002; c) iteratively testing and polishing the front convex surface of the test optic until a desired convex surface quality is obtained using a standard Interferometric or wavefront lens-testing method at a desired test wavelength; and d) once the desired convex surface is obtained, coating the convex surface with a reflective material to thereby produce the desired convex mirror.