Self-Organization of Microlens Arrays Caused by the Spin-Coating-Assisted Hydrophobic Effect

Author

Chen, Fang-Chung ; Huang, Wen-Kuei ; Ko, Chu-Jung

Author_Institution

Dept. of Photonics, Nat. Chiao Tung Univ.

Volume

18

Issue

23

fYear

2006

Firstpage

2454

Lastpage

2456

Abstract

A simple, low-cost, low-temperature, and shape-controllable approach has been demonstrated to fabricate polymer microlens arrays (MLAs). By using microcontact printing of the self-assembled monolayers and then spin coating, the microlenses were able to organize themselves on the patterned glass substrate. High-quality MLAs made of NOA65 prepolymer with lens-diameters of 50, 75, and 100 mum have been fabricated by this method. Lens shapes can be controlled by changing the spin rates of the prepolymer coating. Optical measurements have revealed an excellent light-collecting capability from the fabricated MLAs. It is anticipated that the technique will be ideally suited to low-cost and high-volume production

Keywords

microlenses; monolayers; optical arrays; optical fabrication; optical polymers; optical testing; self-assembly; soft lithography; spin coating; 100 mum; 50 mum; 75 mum; NOA65 prepolymer; hydrophobic effect; lens shapes; low-cost approach; low-temperature approach; microcontact printing; microlens arrays; optical measurements; patterned glass substrate; polymer microlens; prepolymer coating; self-assembled monolayers; self-organization; shape-controllable approach; spin coating; Coatings; Etching; Fabrication; Laser ablation; Laser modes; Lenses; Microoptics; Self-assembly; Shape control; Soft lithography; Hydrophobic and hydrophilic; microcontact printing; microlens array (MLA); self-assembled monolayers (SAMs); surface energy;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Photonics Technology Letters, IEEE

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

1041-1135

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/LPT.2006.886975

Filename

4012079