The fabrication technology of refractive microlens array (MLA) with self-assembly of drops of various thermoplastic optical polymer solutions is reported. In order to develop a conventional drop-on-demand type ink-jet printing method for fabricating high quality microlens array, Firstly, we tried to prepare a series of optical polymer inks. These inks compose of high quality optical polymers, polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), dopant, and functional organic molecules such as laser dye, nonlinear organic dye, and rare earth ion chelates with a suitable organic solvent. Effects of surface tension on the polymer solution drops induced the self-formation of microlenses. This process exhibited a completely self-assembly characteristic without any chemical and photochemical post-treatment. The resulting microlens array displayed diameters varying from 1mm to 5mm and focal lengths from less than one millimeter to a few millimeters. Observation with an atomic force microscope reveals that the surface roughness of the lens is 0.9 nm. The transmittance spectrum of the lens is also measured.
Shaft calibration is an important technique during installation and maintenance of a rotating machine. It requires unique and high-precision measurement instruments with calculation capability, and relies on experience on heavy, high-speed, or high-temperature machines. A high-precision laser alignment system has been designed using PSD (Position Sensing Detector) to change traditional manual way of shaft calibration and to make the measurement easier and more accurate. The system is comprised of two small measuring units (Laser transmitter and detector) and a hand operated control unit or a PC. Such a laser alignment system has been used in some actual shaft alignment with offset resolution 1.5μm and angular resolution 0.1°.
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.
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