Facilities
You can read more about our facility and everything we have to offer below.
Large Optics Facility
The Large Optics Shop is the College of Optical Science (OSC) precision optical fabrication and testing facility. This space is primarily used for the fabrication and testing of large telescope mirrors including 1.8 m, 3.5 m, 4.5 m, and 6.5 m. This state of the art facility includes precision metrology equipment including: interferometry, deflectometry in IR and Visible wavelengths, profilometry, laser tracker, and hexapods with approximately 8-nm resolution to align the CGH for optical testing.
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Precision Metrology Lab
The Precision Metrology Lab is run by the OSC OEFF group to support the Research priorities of the College of Optical Sciences. The lab space contains many state of the art metrology machines as well as various tools used in metrology.
CMM
One such device is the Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM) which can measure a part in 3D with a contact probe. An alternate configuration is to use a Point Source Microscope (PSM) with the CMM to provide a way to perform the measurement optically.
The Wolpert Wilson Hardness Tester Instron Series B2000 machine is used to evaluate the mechanical properties of materials and components. This device can be used to perform compression, tension, and tensile testing. It is also useful in identifying failure rates for certain bonding materials. The LCS is an Optical Alignment system featuring an Air Bearing, 3 point optical mount, and a PSM mounted on a linear axis traveling in the Z direction. This system measures the X, Y, Tip, and Tilt associated with an optical element and can be useful in aligning the optical axis of various optical systems.
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OptoMechanics Lab
The OptoMechanics Lab is dedicated to the study of OptoMechanical concepts taught at the College of Optical Sciences (OSC) such as: Stress and Strain, Deflections under loading, Finite Element Modeling, Thermal Distortions, Kinematic Constraints, Adhesives, Shock and Vibration, Motion Control, and Mounting of Optical Components. The OptoMechanics Lab has historically supported the OSC OptoMechanical Lab class. The Lab has a large optical table, workbench with excellent lighting, and nearby storage for mechanical fasteners.
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Clean Room
The OEFF Clean Room is where the OSIRIS-REx Polycam camera was assembled. It is a class 10,000 with class 1000 clean benches. The Clean Room is one of the most secure rooms in the College of Optical Science due to it being located inside of the Large Optics Shop which has Restricted Access due to the work being performed on the large scale projects.
Small Optics Shop
The Small Optics Shop is located across the hallway from the Large Optics Shop and is used to facilitate conventional and novel optical fabrication techniques in supporting both the Optical Engineering Fabrication Facility and student research projects. The Small Optics Shop consist of five Strausbaugh Polishing/Lapping machines and a 4-Axis Computer Controlled Polisher used for smoothing experiments.
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Machine Shop
The Machine Shop is located down the hall from the OEFF Large Optics Shop. The OEFF Staff use the machine shop to develop custom hardware. In addition to the Machine Shop the College also has a Student Machine Shop which is located in an adjacent room. The staff supporting the Machine Shop are involved with teaching a safety course for students desiring to use the Student Machine Shop. This facility functions primarily to support the OEFF projects with the secondary objective to support the College in aiding students in their research.