Fraunhofer Institute for Reliability and Microintegration IZM
The micro photonics is the only industry expo in the world dedicated to the development, production, and application of miniaturized optical components. At this year’s expo from 11 to 13 October, the focus was on micro and nano-photonics and bio-photonic applications. The Fraunhofer Institute for Reliability and Microintegration IZM was again on site to showcase new science and research highlights:
micro photonics 2016
Hybrid Multi-Laser Emitter Fibre Coupling
The multi-emitter module project has achieved the efficient coupling of a four-emitter laser chip at a wavelength of 1470 nm with 70 µm optical fibre, suitable for medical uses. The Fraunhofer IZM handled the high-precision mounting of the micro-optical bank of laser-produced glass components in its 6.5 mm by 25 mm plot. The four optical modules (FAC, beam twister, SAC, and fibre coupler lens) were mounted with active alignment at full optical laser output of 10 W. To achieve this, special alignment and joining processes were developed for an industrial pick&placer for optical components to achieve precision alignment with six degrees of freedom of less than 200 nm and two arcsec.
Project partner: Eagleyard Photonics and FISBA Photonics
Hybrid Multi-Laser Emitter Fibre Coupling
Free Beam Laser Module for Sensor Applications
The AutoFly project has produced an automatically packaged 808 nm laser module. The package is hermetically sealed with a specialized lid. The high-precision mounting of a double-sided single lens with an innovative optical pick&placer was fully automated, with active alignment used to achieve a highly collimated and aligned free beam. This makes the system particularly suitable for sensor and interferometer applications.
Project partners: Eageyard Photonics and FiconTEC
Free Beam Laser Module for Sensor Applications
3D Microfluidic Chip for Cell Cultivation and Bio-Analytics
Toxicology diagnostics without animal testing is made possible with the new microfluidic chips made from cyclic-olefin copolymer. Human liver tissue can be tested for signs of poisoning in simple test tubes. The new procedure is particularly interesting for the cosmetics industry and can handle up to three tests with a single chip, using only a minimal amount of fluids and cell tissue.
3D Microfluidic Chip for Cell Cultivation and Bio-Analytics
Laser structured fibre optic microresonators on glass banks for opticoanalytical applications
Bottle microresonators are a group of innovative dielectric structures that support new optical modes – so-called whispering gallery modes. The geometry of the resonator captures the light along the long axis of the fibre, allowing fine tuning and high interaction with external media along the concave surface of the bottle shape. The system promises high sensitivity in a compact, mechanically resilient package and good compatibility with integrated optical elements or fluids, making it an attractive option for the development of miniaturized optical devices for sensor and telecommunications applications. The bottle microresonators are produced with an automated carbon dioxide laser and mounted on small-scale glass banks.
Laser structured fibre optic microresonators on glass banks for opticoanalytical applications
Radial Fire – Laser structured fibre optic tip for minimally invasive laser therapy
Modern medicine treats venous disorders with laser therapy. A fibre optic system is carefully inserted into the affected veins and uses a laser to ablate the damaged tissue. The Fraunhofer IZM has developed a novel process that uses a laser to produce the cone-shaped fibre optic tips for the system with unrivalled precision. With typical diameters of only 0.6 mm, the system can now be used to treat even tiny capillary veins.
Project Partner: CeramOptec
Laserstrukturierte Glasfaserspitze vom Typ Radial Fire für die minimal-invasive Lasermedizin