Superpolished OAPs for WFIRST CGI

Abstract

Exoplanet imaging requires super polished off-axis parabolas (OAP) with the utmost surface quality. In this paper we describe an innovative manufacturing process combining 3D printing and stress polishing, to create a warping harness capable of producing any off axis parabola profile with a single actuator. The warping harness is manufactured by 3D printing. This method will be applied to the production of the WFIRST coronagraph's off axis parabolas. The evolution of the warping harness design is presented, starting from a ring warping harness generating astigmatism, to an innovative thickness distribution harness optimised to generate an off axis parabola shape. Several design options are available for the prototyping phase, with their advantages and disadvantages which will be discussed.