Predictive models for the Strehl ratio of diamond-machined optics

This paper provides a practical connection between the Strehl ratio as an optical performance metric and manufacturing parameters for diamond-machined optics. The choice of fabrication parameters impacts residual mid-spatial frequency groove structures over the part's surface, which reduce optical performance. Connections between the Strehl ratio and the fabrication parameters are studied using rigorous Rayleigh-Sommerfeld simulations for a sample optical system. The connections are generalized by incorporating the shape of diamond-machined groove structures and the effects of optical path differences for both transmissive and reflective optics. This work validates the analytical representation of the Strehl ratio as a Fourier transform of a probability density that relates to surface errors. The result is a practical tool that can be used to guide the choice of machining parameters to achieve a targeted optical performance.