Abstract
We present a new fabrication method for optical surfaces using liquid metal molding. Common optical surfaces are fabricated by the polishing of glasses or plastics. By contrast, the fabrication method we propose involves the transfer of a spherical surface of liquid molded metal with silicone rubber. The concept presented in this paper is of a new molding method in which a mold is placed inside. The curvature can be controlled from ∼0.37 mm−1 to −0.37 mm−1 by wetting the liquid metal. An application of this method is to produce on-demand optical elements (e.g., lenses and mirrors).
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 9900-9906 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| Journal | Applied Optics |
| Volume | 56 |
| Issue number | 36 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Dec 20 2017 |
All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
- Engineering (miscellaneous)
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Fingerprint Dive into the research topics of 'Gallium and polydimethylsiloxane molding for self-organized spherical lens surface fabrication'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.
Cite this
Nakakubo, K., Nomada, H., Yoshioka, H., Morita, K., & Oki, Y. (2017). Gallium and polydimethylsiloxane molding for self-organized spherical lens surface fabrication. Applied Optics, 56(36), 9900-9906. https://doi.org/10.1364/AO.56.009900