Fabrication of Micro-Optical Elements by Ink-Jet Printing MicroFab is using ink-jet printing methods for data-driven fabrication of micro-optical elements such as refractive lenslet arrays, multimode waveguides and microlenses/sensors deposited onto the tips of optical fibers/fiber bundles. Materials used for microjet printing of micro-optics have include optical adhesives, UV-curing polymers, and index-tuned thermoplastic formulations.  MicroFab's patented high temperature printheads are used to dispense optical materials at temperatures up to 220 C. By varying such process parameters, arrays of spherical and cylindrical plano-convex microlenses have been fabricated with dimensions ranging from 80um to 1mm, to precision levels of just a few microns. In addition, multimode waveguides and splitters have been created. Diffraction pattern for 300um x 200um hemi-elliptical lens arrays printed using ink-jet technology. Focal planes for 300x200um and 280x150um hemi-elliptical lens arrays printed using ink-jet technology. 100um wide waveguides and 32 channel splitter printed onto glass using ink-jet technology. Recently, MicroFab has begun to explore the application of ink-jet printing technology to displays manufacturing (see Publications). Both phosphor based displays and polymer light-emitting diode displays could benefit from the use of ink-jet printing technology as a manufacturing technique. 150um diameter spots of metal oxide particles (left) and 500um spots of polymer light-emitting diode (fluorescence illumination) material (right). For more information, see the Micro-Optics section of Publications [ home | about us | equipment | services | technology | news | contact us ]