Keywords

additive lithography, lithography, micro optics, diffractive optical elements, DOE, etching, RIE, ICP, fused silica, selectivity, lens, toroidal, vortex

Abstract

Optical elements are the fundamental components in photonic systems and are used to transform an input optical beam into a desired beam profile or to couple the input beam into waveguides, fibers, or other optical systems or devices. Macroscopic optical elements are easily fabricated using grinding and polishing techniques, but few methods exist for inexpensive fabrication of micro optical elements. In this work we present an innovative technique termed Additive Lithography that makes use of binary masks and controlled partial exposures to sculpt photoresist into the desired optical surface relief profile. We explore various masking schemes for fabricating a variety of optical elements with unprecedented flexibility and precision. These masking schemes used in conjunction with the additive lithographic method allows us to carefully control the photoresist exposure and reflow processes for fabricating complex aspheric lens elements, including aspheric elements whose fabrication often proves highly problematic. It will be demonstrated that employing additive lithography for volume sculpting followed by controlled reflow can also allow us to fabricate refractive beam shaping elements. Finally we will discuss the dry etching techniques used to transfer these optical elements into the glass substrate. Thus the additive lithography technique will be demonstrated as an inexpensive, high throughput and efficient process in the fabrication of micro optical elements.

Notes

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Graduation Date

2006

Semester

Spring

Advisor

Johnson, Eric

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

College

College of Optics and Photonics

Degree Program

Optics

Format

application/pdf

Identifier

CFE0000914

URL

http://purl.fcla.edu/fcla/etd/CFE0000914

Language

English

Length of Campus-only Access

None

Access Status

Doctoral Dissertation (Open Access)

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