High-Precision Printing of Complex Glass Imaging Optics with Precondensed Liquid Silica Resin

Zhihan Hong, Piaoran Ye, Douglas A. Loy, Rongguang Liang

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

23 Scopus citations

Abstract

3D printing of optics has gained significant attention in optical industry, but most of the research has been focused on organic polymers. In spite of recent progress in 3D printing glass, 3D printing of precision glass optics for imaging applications still faces challenges from shrinkage during printing and thermal processing, and from inadequate surface shape and quality to meet the requirements for imaging applications. This paper reports a new liquid silica resin (LSR) with higher curing speed, better mechanical properties, lower sintering temperature, and reduced shrinkage, as well as the printing process for high-precision glass optics for imaging applications. It is demonstrated that the proposed material and printing process can print almost all types of optical surfaces, including flat, spherical, aspherical, freeform, and discontinuous surfaces, with accurate surface shape and high surface quality for imaging applications. It is also demonstrated that the proposed method can print complex optical systems with multiple optical elements, completely removing the time-consuming and error-prone alignment process. Most importantly, the proposed printing method is able to print optical systems with active moving elements, significantly improving system flexibility and functionality. The printing method will enable the much-needed transformational manufacturing of complex freeform glass optics that are currently inaccessible with conventional processes.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number2105595
JournalAdvanced Science
Volume9
Issue number18
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 23 2022

Keywords

  • 3D printing
  • glass
  • micro-optics
  • silica precursor
  • two-photon polymerization

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Medicine (miscellaneous)
  • General Chemical Engineering
  • General Materials Science
  • Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology (miscellaneous)
  • General Engineering
  • General Physics and Astronomy

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'High-Precision Printing of Complex Glass Imaging Optics with Precondensed Liquid Silica Resin'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this