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Microfabrication of Implantable Optics Integrated in a Microstructured Imaging Window for Advanced In Vivo Imaging

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Fabrication of optical components using a consumer-grade lithographic printer.

Gregory D Berglund, Tomasz S Tkaczyk

|November 6, 2019

Summary

This study demonstrates 3D printing of optical elements using a consumer-grade printer. Two post-processing methods achieved high-quality plano-convex lenses, enhancing optical fabrication accessibility.

Area of Science:

Optics and Photonics
Materials Science
Additive Manufacturing

Background:

Traditional optical fabrication is complex and costly.
3D printing offers potential for democratizing optical element production.
Consumer-grade printers present an opportunity for accessible optical manufacturing.

Purpose of the Study:

To explore 3D printing techniques for creating plano-convex lenses.
To evaluate post-processing methods for improving lens quality.
To assess the feasibility of using consumer-grade lithographic printers for optical fabrication.

Main Methods:

Utilized a consumer-grade lithographic 3D printer to fabricate plano-convex lens files.
Employed two post-processing techniques: spin coating with resin and direct curing on glass concave lenses.

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Characterized lens surface roughness and wavefront deviations using RMS measurements.

Main Results:

Spin-coated lenses exhibited average RMS roughness between 13-28 nm and RMS wavefront deviations of 0.297-0.374 wave.
Glass-cured lenses achieved a lower average RMS roughness of 6 nm and an average form RMS of 0.048 wave.
Both methods demonstrated the potential for producing functional optical elements.

Conclusions:

Consumer-grade 3D printing combined with simple post-processing is a viable method for fabricating optical elements.
Direct curing on glass concave lenses yielded superior surface roughness and form accuracy.
This approach significantly increases the accessibility of optical fabrication for research and prototyping.