1. Optical Materials

• New materials for new applications (composites, plastics, crystals, glasses, lightweight materials, ceramics, carbides, chalcogenides, UV optical materials, additive manufacturing)

• Material properties and the response to fabrication processes

2. Grinding and Polishing

• Grinding, precision grinding, diamond turning and milling, ultrasound assisted machining, vibration assisted polishing, processing of edges

• New ideas in traditional (pitch) polishing, magnetic field-assisted finishing, ion beam figuring and polishing, fluid-jet polishing, novel finishing processes

• Abrasives, novel abrasive formulations, abrasive-impregnated pads

3. Figuring and Finishing Science (Laser Processing, etc.)

• Fabrication or polishing of optics with lasers or concentrated light

• Tailored slurries through the adjustment of pH and zeta potential

• Deterministic figuring techniques, mid-to-high spatial frequency error control, and various smoothing approaches during computer controlled optical surfacing

4. Optical Testing and Advanced Metrology Systems

• Testing for sub-surface damage, homogeneity, form, finish and scratch/dig

• Measurement, interpretation, and applications of power spectral density

• New ideas in interferometry, direct slope/curvature measurement

• Testing aspheric surfaces with and without null-optics, reconfigurable nulls

• Computer-generated holograms and spatial light modulators for testing

• Absolute tests for flats, spheres and aspheres

• New concepts in profilometry: optical and mechanical probes

• Testing of very small optics

• White light interferometry, fringe projection metrology, deflectometry

• Testing in adverse environments: vibration, turbulence, vacuum, and space

• In-process metrology

• Testing of freeform surfaces

5. Assembly, Alignment, Contamination Control, Cleaning, Packaging

• Adhesives and cements for elevated, ambient and low temperature

• Stable joining of optical surfaces by optical contacting, direct bonding or laser welding

• Alignment of optical components and systems containing aspheric elements

• Alignment of multi-element mirrors

• Measurement and control of deformation and stress birefringence in mounting

• Cleaning optics, clean rooms and contamination control

• Handling and packaging of precision optics

6. Process Engineering

• Glass and plastic (micro) molding to high surface accuracy and low surface roughness

• Cost effective optics manufacturing processes

• Engineering gradient index optics

• Cost effective fabrication of aspheric surfaces

• Automation of the manufacturing chain in optics fabrication

• Good and bad experiences from the shop floor

7. Fabricating Next Generation Optical Systems (Freeform Optics, etc.)

• Photolithography optics

• Adaptive optics

• Integrated optics

• Freeform optical systems and industrial manufacturing

8. Large Optics

• Fabrication and testing of large optics for EUV and x-ray applications

• Large optics for earth-based and space-based astronomy

9. Nanostructures and Films

• Characterization of coatings for advanced laser optics

• Nanostructures on optical surfaces

• 10. Education and Training in Optics Metrology and Finishing Science

• Uncertainty and traceability

• Interpretation of metrics for optical surface characterization