Publication

Manufacturing of 3D glass micro-optics through laser assisted topological transformation

Yves Bellouard
2026

Abstract

The general trend for miniaturization leads to widespread use of micro-optical elements for various applications including optical communications, embedded photonic systems, beam shaping and imaging. We propose here a cost-effective manufacturing method for complex 3D micro-optics based on femtosecond laser-manufactured of simple glass preforms that are topologically transformed into complex 3D objects with optical surface quality through a localized laser-induced viscous flow of the surface. Using this principle, we show that non-trivial shapes with non-rotational symmetry can be obtained. Finally, we introduce a simulation framework that predicts the topological transformation of these objects that we compare to the actual surface and optical properties of the experimentally produced specimens.

Official source

https://infoscience.epfl.ch/entities/publication/f9a7fef3-0776-47d6-bef1-bd130871e473

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Yves Bellouard
2026

Abstract

Official source

https://infoscience.epfl.ch/entities/publication/f9a7fef3-0776-47d6-bef1-bd130871e473

About this result

Related concepts (32)

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An optical fiber, or optical fibre in Commonwealth English, is a flexible, transparent fiber made by drawing glass (silica) or plastic to a diameter slightly thicker than that of a human hair. Optical fibers are used most often as a means to transmit light between the two ends of the fiber and find wide usage in fiber-optic communications, where they permit transmission over longer distances and at higher bandwidths (data transfer rates) than electrical cables.

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Manufacturing of 3D glass micro-optics through laser assisted topological transformation

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