VSHOT measurement uncertainty and experimental sensitivity study

Author

Jones, Scott A. ; Gruetzner, James K. ; Houser, Richard M. ; Edgar, Robert M. ; Wendelin, Timothy J.

Author_Institution

Sandia Nat. Labs., Albuquerque, NM, USA

Volume

3

fYear

1997

fDate

27 Jul-1 Aug 1997

Firstpage

1877

Abstract

The video scanning Hartmann optical tester (VSHOT) is a slope-measuring tool for large, imprecise reflectors. To study the accuracy of the VSHOT as well as its sensitivity to changes in test setup variables, a series of experiments were performed with a very precise, astronomical-grade mirror. The slope errors of the reference mirror were much smaller than the resolution of the VSHOT, so that any measured slope errors were caused by the instrument itself rather than the mirror. The VSHOT exceeded its accuracy goals by achieving less than 0.8% error in the determination of focal length and approximately 0.1 mrad error in the determination of RMS slope error with minor restrictions on the test setup. Displacement of the test mirror from the optical axis caused the largest source of measured errors

Keywords

measurement errors; mirrors; optical testing; surface topography measurement; VSHOT measurement uncertainty; astronomical-grade mirror; focal length; measured errors; measurement accuracy; sensitivity study; slope errors; slope-measuring tool; video scanning Hartmann optical tester; Computer errors; Extraterrestrial measurements; Laboratories; Measurement uncertainty; Mirrors; Optical interferometry; Optical sensors; Renewable energy resources; Surface fitting; Testing;

fLanguage

English

Publisher

ieee

Conference_Titel

Energy Conversion Engineering Conference, 1997. IECEC-97., Proceedings of the 32nd Intersociety

Conference_Location

Honolulu, HI

Print_ISBN

0-7803-4515-0

Type

conf

DOI

10.1109/IECEC.1997.656710

Filename

656710