3D printed hybrid refractive/diffractive achromat and apochromat for the visible wavelength range

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates the design and fabrication of 3D printed hybrid refractive/diffractive achromats and apochromats that significantly reduce chromatic aberrations in micro-optics for visible wavelengths.

Contribution

It introduces the first 3D printed refractive/diffractive apochromat using DOEs and two different photoresists, advancing micro-optics fabrication.

Findings

Successful creation of 3D printed achromats and apochromats

Significant reduction of chromatic aberrations achieved

Enhanced potential for micro-optics applications

Abstract

Three-dimensional (3D) direct laser writing is a powerful technology to create nano- and microscopic optical devices. While the design freedom of this technology offers the possibility to reduce different monochromatic aberrations, reducing chromatic aberrations is often neglected. In this Letter, we successfully demonstrate the combination of refractive and diffractive surfaces to create a refractive/diffractive achromat and show, to the best of our knowledge, the first refractive/diffractive apochromat by using DOEs and simultaneously combining two different photoresists, namely IP-S and IP-n162. These combinations drastically reduce chromatic aberrations in 3D printed micro-optics for the visible wavelength range. The optical properties, as well as the substantial reduction of chromatic aberrations, are characterized, and we outline the benefits of 3D direct laser written achromats and apochromats for micro-optics.