一、问题的提出刀口检验用于高精度的光学零件抛光工艺已有一百多年历史,它一直起着很重要的作用.直到现在还是被广泛地使用着.这个检验方法的优点在于它的极高的灵敏度和直观性,而其缺点是不能定量.根据阴影图判断波面误差的准确性与误差大小有关,误差愈大愈不准确,一般情况只能达50～80%左右.少数有经验的光学专家在波面误差为0.1λ量级时判断的准确性有可能达90%.这当然还是不能令人满意的.因此,研究出一种客观的定量刀口检验方法是光学界共同关心的事.苏联的马克苏托夫在四十年代曾做过定量刀口检验的研究,但所得结果连他自己也不满意.

In this paper the problem of quantitative analysis of the knif-edge test is studied. Taking the Linfoot s integral function as theoretical base, two methods for finding out the error function are derived. As an example, a precision spherical mirror is experimentally tested and the error curve is calculated. The amount of imperfection of the mirror is found to be 0.046λ, that is very close to the estimated value by the optician who makes it.