Here, Toralf Scharf from the NOLOSS Project, explains the fascinating topic of miniaturised optical technology, including the challenges of optical design for manufacturing
Toralf Scharf focuses his research activities at the École Polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne on interdisciplinary subjects bringing micro-system, material technology and optics together.
This analysis from the NOLOSS Project begins by telling us that microlens arrays with a size of about 30 microns and arranged in arrays, present a very challenging situation for modelling. Certainly, if a system has a millimetre dimension with several thousand lenses, many parameters need to be considered.
Elsewhere, we find out more about modern optical technology today, for example, did you know that often, the term “modern optics” is linked to the rise of laser technology, which has changed the world? Did you know that lasers have gained efficiency in recent years and they are broadly accepted as a safe and reliable light source by the public?
You can find out here about the developments from a historical perspective, focusing on optical design trends and manufacturing developments. While the challenges of modern optics technologies lie not only in simulation for a miniaturised optical system, bridging the gap between design and fabrication is of utmost importance, according to the author.
Finally, we are left with the thought that the golden rule for modern optical design when it comes to manufacturing has not yet been found. The author, therefore, urges that the way towards a unified description has to be found to create a lossless system design for manufacturing.
I trust that you enjoy reading the detailed and comprehensive insights found here on the challenges of optical design for manufacturing.