Open AccessImaging-quality 3D-printed centimeter-scale lens
Author(s) -
Bisrat G. Assefa,
Markku Pekkarinen,
Henri Partanen,
Joris Biskop,
Jari Turunen,
Jyrki Saarinen
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - Uncategorized
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.27.012630
Subject(s) - optics , materials science , lens (geology) , polishing , 3d printed , 3d printing , surface roughness , focal length , inkwell , aperture (computer memory) , surface finish , physics , medicine , biomedical engineering , acoustics , composite material
Three-dimensional (3D) printing of imaging-quality optics has been challenging due to the tight tolerances on surface shape and roughness. We report on manufacturing such optics with Print optical Technology, which is based on modified ink-jet printing. We demonstrate for the first time a 3D-printed singlet lens with a surface profile deviation of ±500 nm within a 12-mm aperture diameter. Its RMS surface roughness is below 1 nm without surface polishing. The printed lens exhibits an imaging resolution of some 140 lp mm -1 at 100-mm focal length in the visible region.