3D-printing optical components for microscopy using a desktop 3D-printer

Christopher, Jay L. and Tinning, Peter W. and Uttamchandani, Deepak and Bauer, Ralf (2022) 3D-printing optical components for microscopy using a desktop 3D-printer. Proceedings of SPIE, 12013. 120130F. ISSN 0277-786X (https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2608614)

[thumbnail of Christopher-etal-PhotonicsW-2022-3D-printing-optical-components-for-microscopy-using-a-desktop-3D-printer]
Preview
 Text. Filename: Christopher_etal_PhotonicsW_2022_3D_printing_optical_components_for_microscopy_using_a_desktop_3D_printer.pdf
Accepted Author Manuscript
License: Strathprints license 1.0
Download (1MB)| Preview

Abstract

In this work, we present the results of using a commercially available SLA printer for the fabrication of a range of designs of optical components. The optical properties are compared to off-the-shelf optics, including a detailed analysis of optical transmission, part uniformity and surface quality. A post-processing refinement step is introduced whose results are benchmarked against off-the-shelf polished glass lenses to exemplify sub-hundred nanometre surface roughness uniformity with minimal surface defects, and transmission properties as high as 85% at 638 nm for a 1 mm thick optical block without anti-reflection coatings.

CORE (COnnecting REpositories)