Title :
Rapid prototyping of refractive micro-optics using slab waveguide CO/sub 2/ lasers
Author :
Baker, H.J. ; Markillie, G.A.J. ; Villarreal, F. ; Cao, Qing ; Murray, Padmini Ray ; Field, P.A. ; Nowak, K. ; Janke, C. ; Hall, D.R.
Author_Institution :
Dept. of Phys., Heriot-Watt Univ., Edinburgh, UK
Abstract :
Summary form only given. This paper explores methods of improving the glass machining capabilities of sealed-off, pulsed RF, slab waveguide CO/sub 2/ lasers. Such devices offer a wide range of pulse durations (/spl tau//sub p/), pulse repetition frequencies (PRF´s) and peak powers. In quartz and soda lime glass, the 10.6 /spl mu/m laser wavelength has an absorption depth of a few microns and a reflection coefficient of /spl sim/10%. This enables rapid prototyping of inexpensive refractive micro-optics with machining rates ranging from 10 to 50 /spl mu/m per shot. In a preliminary study, we successfully machined a cylindrical refractive micro-lens using a commercially available CO/sub 2/ slab waveguide laser.
Keywords :
laser beam machining; microlenses; optical fabrication; optical glass; rapid prototyping (industrial); 10.6 micron; CO/sub 2/; absorption depth; cylindrical refractive microlens; laser machining; micro-optical element; quartz glass; rapid prototyping; reflection coefficient; sealed-off pulsed RF slab waveguide CO/sub 2/ laser; soda lime glass; Absorption; Glass; Machining; Optical pulses; Optical reflection; Optical refraction; Prototypes; Radio frequency; Slabs; Waveguide lasers;
Conference_Titel :
Lasers and Electro-Optics Europe, 2000. Conference Digest. 2000 Conference on
Conference_Location :
Nice
Print_ISBN :
0-7803-6319-1
DOI :
10.1109/CLEOE.2000.909968
