Micro-optic lenses fabrication and applications

Abstract

The gradient index (GRIN) inhomogeneous materials optical glass micro-lens and polymer microlens and arrays were investigated in our Lab, in recent years. The different series of GRIN lenses have been fabricated using ion-exchanged in the special glass material. The GRIN lenses are done in applications for using to construct micro-optic devices. We analyzed and demonstrated results on propagation and imaging properties of GRIN lenses. On the other hand, we have also developed a drop-on-demand ink-jet printing method to produce micro-lens array using nano-scale polymer droplets involved with a uniform ultraviolet (UV) light and heat solidifying process. The experimental setup for manufacturing polymer microlens array and the measurement results of performance parameter are also given.