Abstract
Many optical applications require splitting or deflection of light beams. This usually is achieved by usage of standard plane optical elements such as mirror systems or prismatic elements. However, these components are usually limited to one certain function and the manufacturing process for achieving precise functionality is very demanding. The presented research topic shows the development of new optical multifunctional components that introduce certain advantages compared to existing plane optical components. The basic roof-element configuration is based on glass cuboids joined together under a certain angle that can be fine adjusted during the manufacturing process. The components are therefore rather simply built and robust, and can fulfil different optical functions simultaneously by modifications of the glass cuboids. A process chain was developed for efficient and flexible manufacturing of such plane optical elements. Technical investigations were made on novel manufacturing processes such as ultrasonic assisted grinding and ultrafine grinding for fabrication of the cuboid parts, as well as diffusion joining being one possibility to create the basic roof-element shape.
Highlights
Optics designers can choose from a broad variety of plane optical elements
The presented research topic shows the development of new optical multifunctional components that introduce certain advantages compared to existing plane optical components
The basic roof-element configuration is based on glass cuboids joined together under a certain angle that can be fine adjusted during the manufacturing process
Summary
Optics designers can choose from a broad variety of plane optical elements. Reflective prisms for example exist in many different geometries to achieve all kinds of beam or image splitting, as well as image inversion in optical systems, such as telescopes, cameras or digital projectors. Beam splitting components, such as splitter plates or splitter cubes, in turn, serve to split a beam into several partial beams When it comes to functionality all existing parts suffer from the fact, that they can be usually used only for image inversion or beam splitting or light deflection. They are not multifunctional and often demand high manufacturing efforts. Due to this a new development of innovative adjustable roof elements, which can fulfil various optical functions simultaneously and are of simple and robust design, was sought. Their application is conceivable in measuring systems or laser material processing machines
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