Beam-shaping fiber optics
Aligned 3D printing of high-quality micro-optics on optical fibers
This lensed fiber array demonstrates the precision and optical quality achievable by 3D-printing micro-optics directly on optical fibers. Each lens is printed in 3D alignment with the fiber core, with a 3D alignment detection accuracy down to 500 nm, achieving sub-micrometer positioning accuracy.
The exhibit highlights the optical performance enabled by 2GL®-based 3D printing, including ultra-smooth optical surfaces, true 3D freeform geometries, and high reproducibility across fiber arrays. 3D printing by 2GL® enables efficient fabrication with reduced cycle times, illustrating scalable, application-ready micro-optics manufacturing.
Facts & figures
The beam-shaping optics consist of the following optics:
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Periscope optics bending a focused beam of light by 90°
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Collimating optics creating a uniform, focused beam from a diverging beam
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Hybrid refractive-diffractive hologram optics printed directly on the fiber surface
Print parameters:
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MF Print Set (microscale structures)
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Photoresin IP-S
Key Benefits of high-resolution 3D printing:
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Fast and precise manufacturing of a wide range of micro-optics, including freeform refractive-diffractive hologram optics
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Aligned 3D printing with detection accuracy down to 500 nm
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Simultaneous addressing of up to 4 × 8 fibers
Scale up optics manufacturing with high-resolution 3D printing and automated alignment on fibers, chips, and wafers – enabling reliable, low-loss photonic coupling as well as sensing and imaging applications.