Cylinder manufacturing methods can influence specification, offering recommendations on what to consider when designing cylindrical optical components to minimize cost and allow for greater flexibility in manufacturing. 

Magnetorheological Finishing (MRF) offers an effective way for correcting transmitted wavefront of lenses. Optimax Systems uses this MRF process to correct aspheric lenses in transmission to subwavelength errors

There are parameters used in specifying centration of a lense and techniques used to check the location of and position the optical axis. Whether centering errors are specified in terms of decenter or wedge, it all comes back to the difference in edge thickness. 

The primary design considerations are optical material, component size, shape and manufacturing tolerances. All of these attributes are variable at the design phase and have significant impact on lens manufacturing costs and therefore are outlined in a chart. 

Estimations for optical components are based on a set of reasonable assumptions. They are not meant to replace a complete analysis of the situation or design at hand, but rather to provide quick, easy-to-remember relationships for day-to-day use. 

Engineers from a variety of disciplines are now designing lens systems. Manufacturers are often asked to produce optics to tolerances that are not always optima, so practical manufacturing limits are important.    

Prisms are optical components used to reflect or refract light. Their distinct characteristics give rise to its own language, the language of prisms. 

One design strategy for an optical system is centering two or more lenses together to build a lens assembly. However, strain in excess may cause delamination or fracture of the assembly elements, so it is important to consider the management of it. 

Selecting the material from which a lens is made is a fundamental design consideration. In certain situations, a substitute or equivalent material may need to be identified depending on the specifications. 

This paper will define surface irregularity for spherical surfaces, offer information on measurement methods for testing surface irregularities, and some specification guidelines

There are two main paths for tolerancing spherical radii: power tolerance and linear radius tolerance. Both measure change relative to a nominal value, but the metrology used is the key difference. 

Mechanical attribute tolerances can be a major cost driver because of time and yield penalties added to fabrication of a lens. Dimensions and their tolerances are interrelated, so designers need to balance function and budget. 

Centration errors arise from deviation from superposition. In a perfectly centered lens, the mechanical and optical axes are concurrent and coincidental, superimposed on each other.  

Mid-spacial frequency wavefront error, slope, and PVr have a big effect on optical component manufacturing. Specifying them can help reduce error. 

Phase-shifting interferometry is widely used to determine form errors of an optical surface in optical manufacturing. These distortions can affect the ability to get accurate data on thin film coated optical surfaces. 

This paper examines the role surface roughness plays in optical system performance, discusses the components of a surface roughness specification, and contrasts roughness with cosmetic defects.