Laser Based Fabrication of Freeform Optics

PowerPhotonic开创了一种创新的激光微加工工艺，用于生产精密、自由形状的微光学器件。我们的制造技术基于赫瑞瓦特大学进行的基础研究，使我们能够在短的周转时间内快速制造原型，而无需设置成本，并具有成本效益地生产大批量定制光学器件。成功的申请人将研究新的和改进的方法，制造自由形式的微光学制造，将包括：发起和调查，新的和改进的方法，形成光学表面的一系列材料;耦合这些形成方法，以新的和改进的方法，在表面精加工;和探索新的方法，过程计量。我们的目标是为PowerPhotonic提供基于基础研究的下一代工艺技术，我们预计该项目将大大提高公司的能力-如何更深入，更陡峭，更快的工艺，提高器件性能和质量。该项目将涵盖从选择性激光蚀刻和飞秒激光加工到激光平滑以及潜在的超精密加工的技术。该应用工程师的研究员将是PowerPhotonic的研发技术获取团队的成员，在Dalgetty Bay（法夫）以及埃里奥特瓦特大学（爱丁堡）现场工作，并可能（在很短的时间内）在第三方地点（由PowerPhotonic提供支持）。在项目期间，申请人将在建模，设计和工艺技术的实现方面建立多样化的技能。因此，他们应该有热情解决一系列具有挑战性的问题，如系统设计，基于激光的材料加工和光学表面计量，以及与这些主题相关的技术。我们在项目摘要中提出的研究方向（重申以上，[B]）将产生一种新的成型和精加工工艺。我们的目标是在行业中独树一帜。一些成形技术的TRL非常低。它们是寻找问题的解决方案，就像激光本身的发明一样。在PowerPhotonic之外，对精加工技术的了解很少，而且往往是粗略部署的。我们已经尽我们所能地实现了这个过程的具体化，并需要下一代的飞跃。在这个项目（PowerPhotonic和Heriot-Watt）之外，我们知道没有人在这个领域工作，当然也没有人比我们领先一步。

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.