Endomicroscopy optics
Advancing complex hybrid micro-optics with 3D printing by 2GL®
This fiber-based endomicroscopy optics exhibit demonstrates the capabilities of 2GL®-based 3D printing by combining fast fabrication with exceptional optical quality. The microoptical system is printed fully aligned directly onto the fiber facet, forming a compact, monolithic optical system without manual assembly or post-alignment.
The design features stacked freeform microlenses that integrate refractive and diffractive elements, complemented by a nanotextured scaffold for back-reflection suppression. All lenses are printed in a single pass with optical-grade surfaces, resulting in a true 3D optical system with sub-micrometer features reproduced exactly as designed.
Facts & figures
Freeform stacked lenses consisting of
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refractive lens elements and
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diffractive optical elements
Print parameters:
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MF Print Set
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Photoresin IP-S
Key Benefits of high-resolution 3D printing:
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Exceptional optical quality with surface roughness Ra down to ≤ 5 nm
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Excellent shape accuracy with Sa down to ≤ 200 nm
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Aligned 3D printing for creating freeform optics placed directly on an optical fiber facet
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.