Laser Based Fabrication of Freeform Optics

PowerPhotonic开创了一种创新的激光微加工工艺，以生产精密、自由形状的微光学元件。我们的制造技术基于赫里奥特-瓦特大学开展的基础研究，使我们能够在较短的周转时间内快速迭代原型，而不需要安装成本，并能够经济高效地生产大批量定制光学元件。成功的申请者将研究制造自由形状微光学制造的新的和改进的方法，包括：起源和研究，在一系列材料中形成光学表面的新的和改进的方法；将这些形成方法与表面精加工的新的和改进的方法相结合；以及探索加工计量的新方法。我们的目标是为PowerPhotonic提供基于基础研究的下一代工艺技术，我们预计该项目将极大地促进公司的能力-如何以更快的工艺深入更深、更陡、更快，提高设备性能和质量。该项目将涵盖从选择性激光蚀刻和毫微秒激光加工到激光平滑，以及潜在的超精密加工等技术。这一应用型EngD的调查员将成为PowerPhotonic研发技术收购团队的成员，在达尔格蒂湾(FIFE)、爱丁堡赫里奥特瓦特大学(Heriot Watt University)以及可能(在很短的时间内)在第三方地点(由PowerPhotonic全程支持)进行现场工作。在项目期间，申请者将在建模、设计和工艺技术的实现方面建立不同的技能集。因此，他们应该热衷于解决一系列主题的挑战性问题，如系统设计、基于激光的材料加工和光学表面计量学，以及与这些主题相关的技术。我们在项目摘要(重申上文，[b])中提出的研究方向将产生一种新的成形和精加工工艺。我们的目标是在行业中独树一帜。有些成形技术的TRL很低。它们是寻找问题的解决方案，很像激光本身的发明。除了PowerPhotonic，人们对这种抛光技术知之甚少，而且往往部署得很粗糙。我们已经尽我们所愿地实现了这一进程，并需要下一代的飞跃。除了这个项目(PowerPhotonic和Heriot-Watt)，我们知道没有人在这一领域工作，当然也没有人像我们这样领先。

PowerPhotonic has pioneered an innovative laser micro-machining process to produce precision, free-form micro-optics. Our manufacturing technology, based on fundamental research carried out at Heriot-Watt University, enables us to rapidly iterate prototypes without setup costs at short turnaround times, and to cost-efficiently produce high-volume custom optics. The successful applicant will investigate new and improved methods of fabricating freeform micro-optics fabrication that will encompass: originating and investigating, new and improved methods of forming optical surfaces in a range of materials; coupling these forming methods to new and improved approaches in surface-finishing; and exploring new approaches to process metrology. The aim is to provide PowerPhotonic with the next generation of process technology based on fundamental research, and we expect this project to substantially further the company's capabilities - how to go deeper, steeper, with a faster process, improving device performance and quality. The project will cover technologies from Selective Laser Etching and Femto-second Laser Processing, to Laser Smoothing, and potentially Ultra Precision Machining. The investigator in this applied EngD will be a member of PowerPhotonic's R&D Technology Acquisition team, working onsite in Dalgety Bay (Fife), as well as at Heriot Watt University (Edinburgh) and potentially (and for very short periods) at third party locations (supported throughout by PowerPhotonic). During the project, the applicant will build a diverse skillset in the modelling, design, and the realisation of process technology. As such, they should have an enthusiasm for tackling challenging problems across a range of topics such as system design, laser-based materials processing, and optical surface metrology, as well as technologies associated with these topics.The research direction we propose in the project abstract (reiterated above, [b]) will generate a novel forming-and-finishing process. We aim to be unique in the industry. Some of the forming technologies exist at very low TRL. They are solutions looking for problems, much like the invention of the laser itself. The finishing technology is little understood, and often crudely deployed, outside of PowerPhotonic. We have taken this embodiment of the process as far as we wish to, and require a next generation leap. Outside of this project (PowerPhotonic and Heriot-Watt) we're aware of nobody working in this area, and certainly nobody with the head start we possess.