Fabrication of Micro-Optics for Diode Lasers and Amplifiers Using Ink-Jet Technology
Abstract
A new technology has been developed for fabrication of refractive microlenses using an ink- jet printing method. It offers the advantages of low-cost (no photo lithography, minimal optical material usage) and flexibility (data driven process). Using print heads capable of dispensing picoliter droplets of optical thermal plastic and UV-curing resin formulations at temperatures up to 230 deg C, both hemispherical and anamorphic plano/convex microlenses have been printed with substrate-plane dimensions ranging from 80 micrometers to several mm and speeds from f/0.7 to f/5. The specific applications addressed include: arrays of hemi-elliptical microlenses for edge-emitting diode laser array astigmatism correction and coupling into an optical fiber; arrays of hemispherical lenslets for imaging, multiplexing and reflection; and microlenses printed directly onto the tips of optical fibers for increasing numerical aperture for light collection or onto VOSEL die for focusing into fibers. Optical performance and thermal durability data indicate that these UV-cured printed microlenses would also be suitable for high-power optical interconnects.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 30, 1997
- Accession Number
- ADA333276
Entities
People
- Rick Hoenigman
- Ting Chen
- W. R. Cox