Challenges in the Fabrication of Microstructured Polymer Optics

Abstract

The fabrication of microstructured polymer optics enables a multitude of new options in the design of technical optics. However, challenges arise along the varying process chains of mold insert fabrication, integration into molding tools, replication by means of injection compression molding and metrology. In order to study the effects, diffractive optical elements (DOE) and microlens arrays (MLA) are fabricated using two different process chains. DOEs are fabricated using a laser direct writing (LDW) based mold insert fabrication. The MLA mold insert is produced using ultra-precision milling (UP-milling). Both optical parts are replicated using injection compression molding. The occurring effects are discussed and the results show, that with complete process control high quality microstructured polymer optical parts can be produced and characterized.