GOALI: A Symmetry-Based Group Theory Approach to Data Reduction for Micro-Optics Manufacturing

这项学术与工业联系机会(GOALI)奖为开发基于对称性的数据分析策略提供资金，用于微光学制造中的成像处理。根据图像的对称属性将每个图像减少到一小组数字，这将使度量与关键制造变量和部件性能之间具有很强的相关性。分析策略将基于从测量中去除透镜的预期形状，然后是对称运算和数据缩减方法。与工业界合作，这些分析工具将被开发并应用于微折射透镜的干涉测量，这些透镜是以光刻技术制造的，除了光致抗蚀剂厚度和蚀刻速率等关键制造参数外，还允许部件表征与耦合效率等性能之间的相关性。相应的测量和分析不确定度也将是研究的关键组成部分。如果成功，这项工作将允许制造过程的物理与测量相关联，导致最佳过程反馈。这将显著改善微折射透镜的制造，提高器件成品率，减少测试时间和成本，最终降低器件成本。确保制造业的广泛传播和接受，最终将该方法纳入商业仪器软件；通过期刊出版物、会议演示和行业赞助的技术研讨会展示可行性；通过北卡罗来纳大学夏洛特分校光电子和光通信中心下的教育和培训设施，为本科生和研究生教育开发继续教育讲习班和高级实验室模块；将工作纳入北卡罗来纳大学夏洛特分校未来的微光学复制代工厂。在复制过程中，材料特性和部件几何形状受到制造工艺的强烈影响，这项工作将提供一种分析工具，将零件检测与复制过程的物理联系起来。

This Grant Opportunity for Academic Liaison with Industry (GOALI) award provides funding for the development of a symmetry-based data analysis strategy for imaging processing in micro-optics manufacturing. Reducing each image to a small set of numbers based on the symmetry properties of the image will enable a strong correlation between the metrology and both the key manufacturing variables and component performance. The analysis strategy will be based on removing the intended shape of the lens from the measurement, followed by symmetry operations and data reduction methods. Working with industry, the analysis tools will be developed and applied to interferometric measurements of micro-refractive lenses that are photolithographically manufactured to allow correlation between part characterization and performance such as coupling efficiency, in addition to key manufacturing parameters such as photo resist thickness and etch rates. A corresponding measurement and analysis uncertainty will also be a critical component of the research.If successful, the work will allow the physics of the manufacturing process to be correlated to the measurement, leading to optimum process feedback. This will significantly improve the manufacturing of micro-refractive lenses, improving device yield, reducing testing time and cost, and ultimately reducing device cost. Broad dissemination and acceptance by the manufacturing community is ensured by ultimately incorporating the methodology into commercial instrumentation software; demonstrating viability through journal publications, conference presentations, and industry-sponsored technical seminars; developing a continuing education workshop and an advanced laboratory module for undergraduate and graduate education through the Education and Training Facility under the Center for Optoelectronics and Optical Communications at UNC Charlotte; and incorporating the work onto a future micro-optics replication foundry at UNC Charlotte. Material properties and component geometries are strongly influenced by the manufacturing process in replication, and this work will provide an analytical tool to connect part inspection to the physics of the replication process.