MEF ESMobS

Project “ESMobS” is focused on the development of solutions for imaging  methods e.g. in sensors and displays, following issues will be addressed:

• Molded optical arrays with a good quality at affordable prices are not available for proposed optical imaging applications.
• Aberrations in edge areas of the optics impair the imaging quality by directly mounted optical structures on the electronics.
• Prevention of direct contact, in case of layers separated by air, will cause reflections in display or sensor optics.
• Optical simulation results suggest, GRIN (gradient index) optics can avoid the edge imaging errors and are mountable on the electronics.
• In the project, focal correction takes place in one or two anisotropic LC (liquid crystal) layers, which are mechanical stabilized by an ORMOCER® material with ITO (indium-tin-oxide) contacts.
• Optical characterization of produced micro optics in terms of wavelength dependent focal point, lateral focal correction, aberration errors, etc. will demonstrate the proposed feasibility.

The extensive experience of the Vision & Imaging Technologies department in the field of 3D-display and imaging technologies will foster development of an adaptable LC-optic for sensors and displays.

ESMobS objectives

• Development of a design and manufacturing technology for combining LC-based GRIN layers of different optical properties with additional functional optical layers.
• Adaption of focal length of flat lens elements to particular imaging plane by two photon polymerization process (2PP) for GRIN optics
• Reduction of related optical aberrations and Moirés

Solution approach

• Improved LC layer model
• Optical simulation and ray tracing of light distribution
• 2PP-Printing in appropriate Ormocer™ material
• Modelling and producing of special shaped electrodes
• Scalable LC-lenses arrangement with tunable focal length

Target markets

• Micro optics,
• 3D displays,
• 3D printing,
• materials,
• sensors