Fabrication of cylindrical lens arrays utilizing the pinning effect of the partition walls on ultraviolet curable polymers

Abstract

A technique of controlling the pitch and radius of curvature of a cylindrical lens array is presented. The lens pitch is controlled by producing the linear partition walls that sandwich a UV-curable polymer. The partition walls are created by scratching a polymeric substrate with a sharp edge. The radius of curvature can be controlled by designating the volume of the UV-curable polymer dispensed between the partition walls that prevent the spreading of the polymer due to the pinning effect. This technique can contribute to realizing a practical fabrication method for cylindrical lens arrays owing to its simplicity and flexibility.