Static and dynamic removal rates of a new hydrodynamic polishing tool.

A new tool for hydrodynamic radial polishing, HyDra, allows for the local polishing of optical surfaces with a controllable wear rate. The results of the removal rate for different polisher types and sizes, applied air pressures for slurry expulsion, and tool height with respect to the working surface, are reported. We present a numerical analysis of the volumetric removal rate for the dynamic experiments as well as a comparison with a similar technique. (C) 2004 Optical Society of America.