Research on micro-optical lenses fabrication technology

We present a detail investigation on the development of a series of gradient index (GRIN) optical glass microlens and polymer microlens and microlens arrays in our laboratory in recent years. The special glass material GRIN lenses have been fabricated mainly by using ion-exchange technology, which are applied to construct micro-optic devices and other applications. On one hand, we demonstrated the light propagation and imaging properties of GRIN lenses and the results analyzed. On the other hand, we have explored a drop-on-demand ink-jet printing method to produce microlens array using nano-scale polymer droplets involved with a uniform ultraviolet light and heat solidifying process. The experimental setup for manufacturing polymer microlens array and the performance of refractive microlens elements are also given in this paper.     

Fabrication of gradient refractive index ball lenses

The theoretical model of the Maxwell fish eye sphere lens has long been regarded as an absolute optical instrument without practical application since it was proposed. But the study on the theory of Maxwell fish eye micro-spherical lens shows that at certain condition it has fine image formation ability and coupling efficiency. Based on the Fick's diffusion equations, the distribution function of refractive index of gradient refractive index (GRIN) ball lenses is derived. Lithium-containing silicate glass is fabricated and GRIN ball lenses whose diameters are from 0.3 to 3.0 mm are made by ion exchange and the sagging method in sodium nitrate. Radial refractive index profiles of these GRIN ball lens are measured by interferometer. Results show that the distribution of the index of refraction is a parabolic curve and in concordance with the computational consequence and its Δn is 0.0002.     

Fabrication of gradient refractive index ball lenses using the method of combination of ion exchanging and sagging

Based on the Fick’s diffusion equations, the distribution function of refractive index of a gradient refractive index ball lens (GRIN ball lens/GBL) is derived. Lithium containing silicate glass is fabricated and GRIN ball lenses (GBLs) which diameters are from 0.3 mm to 3.0 mm are made by the method of combination of Ion exchanging and sagging in sodium nitrate. Refractive index profiles of these GBLs are measured by interferometer, and the performances such as effective focal length (EFL), back focal length (BFL) and numerical aperture (NA) between GBLs and homogeneous ball lenses (HBLs) are compared. Results show that the distribution of the index of refraction is parabolic curve and its Δn is about 0.0002, the performances of the former are super to the latter.     

Design,fabrication and evaluation of a photographic objective that uses a radial GRIN lens

Some technical issues in the design, fabrication and evaluation process of the photographic objective lens are treated. In the design process, a unique design technique called the quasi-equivalent glass method is applied. Also, a convenient method is described for the determination of tolerances of the refractive index profile. Performance evaluation showed that the GRIN material made by sol-gel method is usable for photographic lenses.     

梯度折射率球透镜的制备及其光线轨迹测试

自麦克斯韦鱼眼透镜理论模型提出后,长期以来学术界一直以为它只是一种绝对光学仪器,在实践中并没有应用的可能。但通过对麦克斯韦鱼眼微球透镜的理论研究表明,在一定条件下,它具有良好的成像性能和耦合效率。根据菲克定律推导出梯度折射率球透镜的折射率分布函数。并且熔制了含Li+硅酸盐玻璃和采用槽沉法以及Na+/Li+离子交换法制备直径为0.3—3.0mm的梯度折射率球透镜。通过干涉法测得了梯度折射率球透镜的折射率分布曲线,并研究了光线通过梯度折射率球透镜的轨迹。研究结果表明:在590℃,离子扩散系数为3.07×10-6mm2/s;所制备的梯度折射率球透镜的折射率分布是抛物线分布,并且和理论分析相吻合;梯度折射率球透镜的光线轨迹满足椭圆方程。     

GRIN lenses for high efficiency coupling of laser diodes to single mode fiber

Various methods have been proposed to reduce the coupling losses of laser diodes into optical fiber coupling modules. [1] [2] [3] Among the options, coupling methods using GRIN lenses fabricated by ion-exchange technique offer a promising way to realize high efficiency coupling and stable operation.     

Adaptive aberration correction of GRIN lenses for confocal endomicroscopy

Graded-index (GRIN) lenses serve as a key component for miniature endoscopes because of their small diameters and ease of assembly. However, the nonaplanatic nature of GRIN lenses causes inherent spatial aberrations that lower image resolution and sharpness. Here we present the diagnosis of the aberrations in GRIN probes and the use of adaptive optics to compensate for the wavefront errors in the endoscope. Two different operation schemes based on preset and in situ measurements are demonstrated, both resulting in a substantial reduction of the wavefront error from 0.42 to <0.1 μm.     

Full-field measurement of surface reflectivity using a microscopy for refractive index profiling of GRIN lenses

This paper outlines an improved technique for profiling the refractive index of Graded-index (GRIN) lenses based on the measurements obtained from a reflectivity image. Reflective cross-sectional image of the GRIN lens were compared with a reflectance reference target under illumination at small incidence angles to obtain the full-field refractive index distribution of the GRIN lens quickly and easily.     

Simple equivalent systems for GRIN lenses in inhomogeneous medium

Simple single-lens equivalent systems for graded-index （GRIN） lenses in inhomogeneous medium obtained using matrix optics are proposed in this letter. Due to its simplicity, the equivalent optical system enables quick analysis of the imaging properties of GRIN lens rod immersed in inhomogeneous medium. This facilitates the optical analysis of complicated optoelectronics systems in inhomogeneous medium utilizing GRIN lens rods.     

Gradient-index fiber-optic microprobes for minimally invasive in vivo low-coherence interferometry

We describe the design, construction, and application of what are believed to be the smallest fiber-optic probes used to date during imaging or diagnosis involving low-coherence interferometry (LCI). The probes use novel fiber-optic gradient-index (GRIN) lenses fabricated by a recently developed modified chemical-vapor-deposition (MCVD) process that avoids on-axis aberrations commonly marring MCVD-fabricated GRIN substrate. Fusing GRIN fiber lenses onto single-mode fiber yields automatically aligned all-fiber probes that insert into tissue through hypodermic needles as small as 31-gauge (inner diameter, 127 mum). We demonstrate the use of such probes with LCI by measuring microscopic brain motions in vivo.     

Multistep ion exchange processes of gradient refractive index rod lens

A mathematical model for research on the refractive index profile (RIP) of multistep ion exchange processes (IEPs) of gradient refractive index rod lenses (GRINs) is established by the different initial condition and boundary condition, based on the Fickian diffusion equation. GRIN rod lenses have been fabricated using the three-step IEPs. Research results indicate that the experimental deviations of refractive index (DRI) are in good agreement with the theoretical data. The DRI of three-step IEPs is superior to the one- and two-step IEPs and smaller than 10(-5).     

无线光通信系统中的光接收机设计

介绍了无线光通信的特点，比较了光电检测器、光纤接收模块、自聚焦透镜和多模光纤接收机耦合三种设计方案，提出了自聚焦透镜和多模光纤之间的耦合设计是最优方案。详细讨论了自聚焦透镜和多模光纤之间的耦合设计和电信号处理过程。试验证明，采用该方案后系统输出信号的信噪比显著提高，完全可以满足通信系统的要求。     

Performance evaluation of GRIN lenses by ray tracing method

Plastic gradient-index lenses produce clear images with negligible aberration and distortion. One of the methods for fabricating these lenses involves pulling up the core fiber vertically from a polymer solution whose refractive index has been adjusted to the desired value. Since the molecules from the solution diffuse into the inner layer, the monomer components are distributed in the radial direction. The monomer distribution is fixed in the photopolymerization process, and this forming process is repeated several times with adjusting the composition of the solution; hence, a specific refractive index distribution is obtained. We considered a numerical model of the interdiffusion process and analyzed refractive index distribution that could well reproduce the experimental results. Moreover, we employed the ray tracing method to calculate the modulation transfer function and used the transfer function to evaluate the GRIN lens performance. Simulation results showed that our evaluation method well duplicates the experimental results. We thus developed an integrated simulation method for the fabrication and performance evaluation of GRIN lenses.     

一种具有Luneburg透镜特性的轴向GRIN介质透镜

本文给出一种轴向GRIN(梯度折射率)介质透镜。这种透镜具有 Luneburg(卢内堡)透镜的特性。它可以使无限远光线锐成象;亦可用于点—点锐成象系统,光准直或光准直—聚焦系统;在微波频谱区域及有声成象、天线设计方面有一定应用价值。     

平行光束反射光强调制型光纤位移传感器研究

讨论并建立了一种基于平行光束发射光强调制的光纤位移传感器，该传感器的入射和接收光纤的端部都用渐变折射率光纤（GRIN）制成的透镜耦合，入射光纤的渐变折射率光纤透镜发出的平行光束以一定入射角照射到试件表面，接收渐变折射率光纤透镜放置在入射光的镜面反射方向，详细分析了试件表面为镜面反射和朗伯反射时传感器的输出特性，由仿真计算可知，通过调整测头的结构参量，该传感器可获得较强的输出信号，适用于对测量范围和工作点有灵活要求的场合。     

Lenticular arrays based on liquid crystals

Lenticular array products have experienced a growing interest in the last decade due to the very wide range of applications they can cover. Indeed, this kind of lenses can create different effects on a viewing image such as 3D, flips, zoom, etc. In this sense, lenticular based on liquid crystals (LC) technology is being developed with the aim of tuning the lens profiles simply by controlling the birefringence electrically. In this work, a LC lenticular lens array has been proposed to mimic a GRIN lenticular lens array but adding the capability of tuning their lens profiles. Comb control electrodes have been designed as pattern masks for the ITO on the upper substrate. Suitable high resistivity layers have been chosen to be deposited on the control electrode generating an electric field gradient between teeth of the same electrode. Test measurements have allowed us to demonstrate that values of phase retardations and focal lengths, for an optimal driving waveform, are fairly in agreement. In addition, results of focusing power of tuneable lenses were compared to those of conventional lenses. The behaviour of both kinds of lenses has revealed to be mutually similar for focusing collimated light and for refracting images.     

非线性锥形梯度折射率棒透镜的成像特性

根据变分法和ABCD定律,导出了非线性锥形梯度折射率棒透镜中高斯光束的成像公式.结果表明,这种透镜的成像特性与光线轨迹依赖于光功率.当n_2=0(n_2:非线性系数)以及几何光学近似下,成像公式就简化为已知的结果.     

Pupil-segmentation-based adaptive optical correction of a high-numerical-aperture gradient refractive index lens for two-photon fluorescence endoscopy

The intrinsic aberrations of high-NA gradient refractive index (GRIN) lenses limit their image quality as well as field of view. Here we used a pupil-segmentation-based adaptive optical approach to correct the inherent aberrations in a two-photon fluorescence endoscope utilizing a 0.8 NA GRIN lens. By correcting the field-dependent aberrations, we recovered diffraction-limited performance across a large imaging field. The consequent improvements in imaging signal and resolution allowed us to detect fine structures that were otherwise invisible inside mouse brain slices.     

方形自聚焦透镜折射率分析

利用MATLAB 偏微分方程工具箱(PDE)实现方形玻璃纤维边界条件下离子扩散的有限元解法,给出一般步骤,对离子交换制备方形自聚焦透镜过程进行计算机模拟.运用分离变量法求解方形玻璃纤维中Tl+离子浓度定解方程,由离子浓度与折射率的线性关系,得到了方形自聚焦透镜折射率分布的数学表达式,计算出折射率分布图以及理论值.与实验值校验表明,相对误差小于0.33%.