MicroFab has developed patented methods for fabricating micro-optic elements, to micron precision, using low-cost ink-jet printing technology. The flexibility of the digitally controlled Optics Jet® process enables unique capabilities, such as the ability to vary microlens geometries within an array. The non-contact aspect of the technology allows lenses to be placed on the ends of fibers and other non-flat surfaces.
Custom and standard polymer microlens arrays for use in optical data interconnects, imaging, and other applications are available from MicroFab. Standard microarrays consist of spherical lenses with diameters in the range 0.1-5 mm. Lens height is selected in a range that depends on diameter: lens speed (F number) is in the range 1-4. Lens diameter and placement accuracies can be ±1µm. Custom microlens arrays can be printed onto glass, quartz, or other substrates.
Standard Microlens Arrays
MLA-BG-0A 10×10 Array, 0.9 mm Diameter
MLA-BG-0B 4×12 Array, 0.2 mm Diameter
Substrate Size: 25×25 mm (nominal) Material: soda lime glass Thickness: 1.0 ± 0.05 mm
Substrate Size: 28 mm diam. (nominal) Material: borosilicate glass Thickness: 0.55 ± 0.05 mm
Lenslets Diameter: 0.9 ± 0.001 mm Spacing: 1.0 ± 0.001 mm Material: Optical Epoxy Coating: none
Lenslets Diameter: 0.2 ± 0.001 mm Spacing: 0.25 ± 0.001 mm Material: Optical Epoxy Coating: none
Custom Microlens Arrays
The digital nature of ink-jet microdispensing gives complete flexibility in terms of placement of the microlenses and their characteristics within an array. Some of the characteristics of a microlens array are included in the table below.
