System and method for radius of curvature modification of optical plates and lenses by irradiation with optical energy

An apparatus for modifying a curvature of a circularly shaped, flat plate having a flat surface, comprising:

• an electronic controller;
• a memory accessible by the electronic controller;
• a laser configured to communicate with the electronic controller and to generate a beam having a predetermined energy and a beam annular radius r0;
• a software module for storing at least one of:
• an algorithm for beam control or power control over the laser;
• an acousto-optic modulator for controlling an amount of beam diffraction imposed on the beam prior to passing the beam to the flat plate, wherein the flat plate has a radius r,
• a support structure for supporting the flat plate only about a plurality of spaced apart peripheral edges thereof to enable deformation of the flat plate along an axis normal to the flat surface of the flat plate;
• the beam from the laser being directed at the flat surface of the flat plate;
• the beam being controlled by the electronic controller to create a force distribution created by the beam, which creates a line load being applied to the flat plate, in addition to a width of the force distribution, a poisson's ratio of material making up the flat plate, a radius r of the flat plate, a thickness of the flat plate, and a beam annular radius r0, and the beam further being controlled by the electronic controller in accordance with a selected one of the algorithm for beam control or by the power control over the laser;
• and
• the beam being controlled by the controller to trace a select path on the one surface of the flat plate, to heat and densify portions of the flat plate to create a force on the flat plate, the force acting in the axis normal to the flat plate causing a stress which induces a controlled degree of deformation of the flat plate at an axial center of the plate and along the axis normal to the plate, to modify a curvature of the plate in a manner to produce a continuous, uniform spherical curvature over a full area of the flat plate, and the deformation being maximized at an axial center of the flat plate and controlled by the predetermined energy of the beam at select locations on the flat plate.