Microlenses for astrophotonic instruments manufactured by ultrafast-laser assisted etching

Calum A. Ross, David Lee, Isabelle Guinouard, Robert R. Thomson

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

1 Citation (Scopus)
74 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

The performance of astrophotonic instruments is determined by various factors including the quality of optical surfaces and the precise alignment of components. As instruments become more complex and compact, the manufacture and assembly of components is increasingly challenging. We propose that a laser-based glass microfabrication technique known as ultrafast-laser assisted etching (ULAE) is ideally suited to the manufacture of both existing and novel components for astrophotonic instruments. To demonstrate this potential, we will present ULAE manufactured microlenses with integrated passive alignment features for efficient optical fiber coupling. A full physical and optical characterization of the micro-lenses is given. These components have applications in fiber-fed multi-object spectrographs.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationAdvances in Optical and Mechanical Technologies for Telescopes and Instrumentation IV
EditorsRamon Navarro, Roland Geyl
PublisherSPIE
ISBN (Electronic)9781510636903
ISBN (Print)9781510636897
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 13 Dec 2020
EventSPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation 2020 - Virtual, Online, United States
Duration: 14 Dec 202022 Dec 2020

Publication series

NameProceedings of SPIE
Volume11451
ISSN (Print)0277-786X
ISSN (Electronic)1996-756X

Conference

ConferenceSPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation 2020
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityVirtual, Online
Period14/12/2022/12/20

Keywords

  • direct laser writing
  • fused silica
  • microlens
  • multi-object spectroscopy
  • passive alignment
  • ultrafast laser assisted etching

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Computer Science Applications
  • Applied Mathematics
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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