GOALI: Replication of Precision Photonic Components

该项目将扩大目前光学生产技术的限制，用于大批量生产复杂(如衍射和非球面)、超精密光学元件(如模塑塑料光学元件)。这将通过结合三个组织的专业知识来实现：北卡罗来纳州立大学精密工程中心、波士顿大学精密工程研究实验室和Shape Global Technology。将塑料部件复制到显示技术和高端相机光学等新应用中的能力将得到显著扩展。用于大型平板显示器的微透镜阵列目前被限制在约300 mm，而50 mm的单反相机镜头要求的尺寸公差比目前模制光学元件的尺寸公差高一个数量级。为了实现这一目标，将需要改进模具制造技术、新的和/或改进的成型工艺以及材料进步。该项目的任务将包括在Shape Global Technology提供的现代注塑机上进行新成型策略的材料研究，改进模具制造工艺，以及研究模具形状和复制的塑料部件之间的关系。该项目中测量、控制和制造符合更严格标准的光子组件的技术和工具的开发应有助于美国保持其在关键光电子制造技术方面的领先地位。

This project will extend the limits of current optical production techniques for complex (e.g. diffractive and aspheric), ultraprecise optical components produced in large volume (e.g. molded plastic optics). This will be accomplished by combining the expertise of three organizations: the Precision Engineering Center at North Carolina State University, the Precision Engineering Research Laboratory at Boston University, and Shape Global Technology. The capability of replicated plastic components into new applications such as display technology and high-end camera optics will be significantly extended. Microlens arrays for large flat panel displays are currently limited to about 300 mm whereas SLR camera lenses of 50 mm require an order of magnitude better dimensional tolerance than currently possible with molded optics. To achieve this objective will require improvements to mold fabrication techniques, new and/or improved molding processes, and material advances. The project tasks will include material studies in new molding strategies on a modern injection molding machine provided by Shape Global Technology, improvements in mold fabrication processes, and a study of the relationship between mold shape and replicated plastic components. The development of techniques and tools in this project to measure, control, and fabricate photonic components to more exacting standards should help the U.S. to maintain its lead in critical photonics manufacturing technologies.