Abstract
A rapid method is developed for fabricating low-cost and high-numerical-aperture photosensitive-gel microlens arrays (MLAs) with well-controlled curvatures. An UV-curable photosensitive-gel film beneath the microholes of a silicon mold can be flexibly deformed by thermally manipulating the surface tension of the photosensitive gel and the pressure difference across the air-photosensitive-gel interface. The concave interface is then solidified through UV curing, forming a MLA with a concave curvature. MLAs with a focal length ranging from 51.4 to 71.9 μm and a numerical aperture (NA) of 0.49 were fabricated. The photocured MLA has high mechanical and thermal strength and is suitable as a master mold for the further production of convex MLAs. The fabricated microlenses have uniform shapes and smooth surfaces. In a demonstration of imaging and focusing performance, clear and uniform images and focused light spots were observed using concave and convex MLAs.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 16604-16609 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces |
Volume | 9 |
Issue number | 19 |
Early online date | 28 Apr 2017 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 17 May 2017 |
Keywords
- microlens array
- micromolding
- microstructure fabrication
- optical performance
- surface tension
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Materials Science
Fingerprint
Dive into the research topics of 'Fabrication of a Microlens Array with Controlled Curvature by Thermally Curving Photosensitive Gel Film beneath Microholes'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.Profiles
-
Xu Wang
- School of Engineering & Physical Sciences - Associate Professor
- School of Engineering & Physical Sciences, Institute of Photonics and Quantum Sciences - Associate Professor
Person: Academic (Research & Teaching)