Development of diamond cutting technology for fabrication of optically efficient microstructures

最近的许多技术突破表明，微光学将代表未来的关键使能技术之一。由于其在控制自然或人工产生的光方面的积极作用，微型光学部件/系统在许多经济部门得到了广泛的应用，包括但不限于电信、交通、国防、消费品或医疗保健。无论其几何复杂性如何，微光学元件都必须以极高的精度大量生产，这一目标通常通过高精度注塑(微)成型来实现。然而，迄今为止在制造模具/模具母版中使用的传统技术-通常基于材料去除、光刻或激光烧蚀工艺-往往成本较高，并且也不能用于制造某些类型的微光学表面，例如那些以微结构和/或周期性图案为特征的表面。为解决这一问题，目前的提议将集中于开发一个综合平台，将光学设计/分析与高性能五轴计算机数字控制(CNC)单点切割倒切技术集成在一起，试图提供更有效的手段来制造这类具有优异光学效率的特殊类型的微光学元件。预期在拟议研究框架内产生的知识将有助于下游发展，使加拿大制造商在制造微光学元件方面跻身世界领先地位。预计将参与拟议研究的受训人员将获得进一步促进和发展这一利基市场所需的关键技能，但目前加拿大经济中的这一部门尚未得到充分代表。

Numerous recent technological breakthroughs suggest that microoptics will represent one of the key enabling technologies of the future. Because of their active role in the control of naturally or artificially produced light, micro-optical components/systems have found a wide applicability in many economic sectors including but not limited to telecommunication, transportation, defense, consumer goods or healthcare. Regardless of their geometric complexity, microoptical components have to be produced in large quantities and at extremely high levels of accuracy, a goal that is generally achieved through high precision injection (micro)molding. However, the conventional techniques used so far in fabrication of molds/mold masters – generally based on material removal, lithographic, or laser ablation processes – tend to be costly and also cannot be used to produce certain types of microoptical surfaces, such as those characterized by microstructured and/or periodic patterns. To address this, the current proposal will be focused on the development of a comprehensive platform to integrate optical design/analysis with high performance five-axis computer numerically-controlled (CNC) single point cutting inverted cutting technology in an attempt to provide more effective means to fabricate this special class of microoptical components that are characterized by superior optical efficiencies. The knowledge to be generated in the framework of the proposed research is expected to facilitate downstream developments capable to position Canadian manufacturers among world leaders in fabrication of microoptical components. The trainees to become involved in the proposed research are expected to acquire a critical set of skills required for further promotion and development of this niche, but presently underrepresented sector of Canadian economy.