NGOPTICS

Establishment of a value creation chain with European SMEs for the efficient production of diffractive structured glass optics – Next Generation Optics –

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'The overall goal of the NGOptics project is to provide the participating SMEs technological solutions for the production of the next generation in glass optics. Therefore the establishment and qualification of a value creation chain with one SME at each process step capable for the efficient production of hybrid (diffractive structured and curved, e.g. apseric) glass optics will be conducted. The actual trend towards miniaturization, function integration and higher imaging quality is shown through the increased demand for structured, high performance glass optics within the past months and years. Besides this trend the quantity of customer specified optical systems increase dramatically and has to be considered, specially in Europe, where quality and performance is a major factor for differentiation. Still the participating SMEs, who are altogether involved in optics production and application, are not able to provide the demanded optics and technologies due to the high complexity and challenging manufacturing processes. Therefore it is often impossible or only partially possible to realize numerous innovative applications in photonics. In order to not loose today’s European market position, in particular of the partner SMEs in NGOptics, and to intensely strengthen their future position in the photonics world market this project (Next Generation Optics – NGOptics) is urgently necessary. Two different applications have been defined by the project participants POG and FocalSpec, a high quality laser objective and a new measurement device for thin film thickness measurement. The developed technology and the therewith produced diffractive glass optics will enable this new applications as a demonstration of the technology potential. This will serve as driving force for the project consortium and will deliver several new challenges all faced in NGOptics.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

Glass optics combining both diffractive and refractive components were the stuff of science fiction until now. Scientists with EU support are developing low-cost technology for production of hybrid glass photonics.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

Increased demand for high-performance glass optics has created a trend toward miniaturisation with enhanced function integration and imaging quality. Most EU small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) do not have the infrastructure required to deliver tailor-made optical systems with unparalleled performance and quality.

Combining SME expertise can help realise the development of innovative photonics devices previously not possible. The EU-funded project NGOPTICS is working on the development of next-generation hybrid diffractive glass optics with diffractive and refractive components. Scientists will produce a curved glass lens with a diffractive structure added on top of the refractive (curved) surface through the use of precision glass moulding. The identified applications are a novel optical device for measurement of thin-film thickness and a high-quality laser objective for an infrared (IR) laser telescope.

Scientists initially focused on definition of the demonstrators, evaluation of mould materials, and development of tools and processing techniques. For the measurement device, the demonstrator is based on the separation of light into different wavelengths. Researchers evaluated the use of different numbers of lenses, materials and geometries. Without diffractive optics, an IR laser telescope requires four spherical lenses. Exploiting diffractive optics enables the use of one spherical lens and one non-spherical or aspheric lens with a diffractive optical element to decrease wave error and increase efficiency. Scientists have explored the moulds for the demonstrators and developed two standardised mould and die concepts. Processing is now focused on development of diamond cutting tools and ultra-fine grinding wheels for the demonstrator manufacturing processes.

Hybrid glass optics currently do not exist. NGOPTICS are developing the necessary materials and processing methods to enable EU SMEs to easily and efficiently manufacture two demonstrators of these ground-breaking photonics technologies.