Advances in predicting surface shape changes of mirror blanks through elliptical nozzle gas jet forming

Abstract

To facilitate the formation of bifocal aspheric optical surfaces, we present an approach for predicting the surface profile of bifocal aspheric surfaces formed by the gas-liquid interface when an elliptical nozzle gas jet is employed. Through an analysis of the gas flow field morphology emanating from the elliptical nozzle, we inferred the impact of gas jet parameters on the gas-liquid interface surface shape within the core region of the gas jet. By analyzing the variation in the gas flow field morphology emitted from an elliptical nozzle, we deduced the influence patterns of gas jet parameters on the gas-liquid interface surface shape within the gas jet's core region. Theoretical analysis is substantiated by numerical simulations, confirming regular changes in the vertex curvature and conic constant of mirror blanks concerning variations in jet initial velocity and nozzle aspect ratio. A comparison between experimental data and numerical simulation results reveals an average prediction deviation of 0.0083 mm−1 for the vertex curvature and a prediction deviation of 10.7 % for the conic constant, challenging to rectify within numerical simulations. Hence, an empirical model, incorporating jet parameters, is developed based on experimental data to predict the vertex curvature and conic constant of mirror blanks. This model demonstrates an average prediction error of 2.901 × 10−3 mm−1 for the vertex curvature and 7.64 % for the conic constant, surpassing the predictive accuracy of the numerical simulation model.