A method and apparatus for mass production of AR diffractive waveguides. Low-cost mass production of large-area AR diffractive waveguides (slanted surface-relief gratings) of any shape. Uses two-photon polymerization micro-nano 3D printing to realize manufacturing of slanted grating large-area masters of any shape (thereby solving the problem about manufacturing of slanted grating masters of any shape on the one hand, realizing direct manufacturing of large-size wafer-level masters on the other hand, and also having the advantages of low manufacturing cost and high production efficiency). Composite nanoimprint lithography technology is employed (in combination with the peculiar imprint technique and the composite soft mold suitable for slanted gratings) to solve the problem that a large-slanting-angle large-slot-depth slanted grating cannot be demolded and thus cannot be manufactured, and realize the manufacturing of the slanted grating without constraints (geometric shape and size).

A method of forming a three-dimensional object, wherein said three-dimensional object is an insert for use between a helmet and a human body, is described. The method may use a polymerizable liquid, or resin, useful for the production by additive manufacturing of a three-dimensional object, comprising a mixture of (i) a light polymerizable liquid first component, and (ii) a second solidifiable component that is different from said first component.

A method of forming a three-dimensional object is carried out by: (a) providing a carrier and an optically transparent member having a build surface, the carrier and the build surface defining a build region therebetween; (b) filling the build region with a polymerizable liquid, the polymerizable liquid including a mixture of (i) a light polymerizable liquid first component, and (ii) a second solidifiable component that is different from the first component; (c) irradiating the build region with light through the optically transparent member to form a solid polymer scaffold from the first component and also advancing the carrier away from the build surface to form a three-dimensional intermediate having the same shape as, or a shape to be imparted to, the three-dimensional object, and containing the second solidifiable component carried in the scaffold in unsolidified and/or uncured form; and (d) concurrently with or subsequent to the irradiating step, solidifying and/or curing the second solidifiable component in the three-dimensional intermediate to form the three-dimensional object.

Provided is a method for manufacturing an optical component, including the following steps: producing at least one optical waveguide or a part of an optical waveguide on a substrate, where producing the optical waveguide or the part of the optical waveguide includes producing a waveguide core or a portion of a waveguide core, and where the waveguide core or the portion of the waveguide core includes silicon nitride, a polymer or a III-V semiconductor material; and arranging at least one layer of lithium niobate on a side of the waveguide core or of the portion of the waveguide core facing away from the substrate. After arranging at least one layer of lithium niobate at least one of the following steps is carried out: structuring at least one layer of lithium niobate, producing a further portion of the waveguide core and/or arranging at least one contact structure for electrically contacting the at least one layer of lithium niobate.

A novel polymer optical waveguide and method of manufacturing is presented herein. A digitally manufactured process is described which utilizes a micro-dispensed UV optical adhesive as the contour guiding cladding, a fused deposition modeling technology for creating a core, and a subtractive laser process to finish the two ends of the optical interconnect. The optical waveguide can be printed directly on a circuit board in some embodiments. Alternatively, using a slightly modified process including a step to bond the optical fiber to the substrate, the optical interconnect can be manufactured on a flexible substrate.

An optical structure is provided. The optical structure includes an optical element and a plurality of protrusions. The optical element has a planarized top surface. The plurality of protrusions are disposed on the planarized top surface, wherein each of the plurality of protrusions independently has a size in the subwavelength dimensions.

Methods of fabricating optical devices with high refractive index materials are disclosed. The method includes forming a first oxide layer on a substrate and forming a patterned template layer with first and second trenches on the first oxide layer. A material of the patterned template layer has a first refractive index. The method further includes forming a first portion of a waveguide and a first portion of an optical coupler within the first and second trenches, respectively, forming a second portion of the waveguide and a second portion of the optical coupler on a top surface of the patterned template layer, and depositing a cladding layer on the second portions of the waveguide and optical coupler. The waveguide and the optical coupler include materials with a second refractive index that is greater than the first refractive index.

The disclosed embodiments generally relate to extruding multiple layers of micro- to nano-polymer layers in a tubular shape. In particular, the aspects of the disclosed embodiments are directed to a method for producing a Bragg reflector comprising co-extrusion of micro- to nano-polymer layers in a tubular shape.

The disclosure relates to diagnostic, surgical, and/or therapeutic devices for being introduced into the human or animal body or for in vitro examination of human or animal blood samples or other body cells, in particular to an endoscope or a disposable endoscope that includes at least one illumination light guide and/or image guide for transmitting electromagnetic radiation, the illumination light guide or image guide having a proximal end face for incoupling or outcoupling of electromagnetic radiation and a distal end face for incoupling or outcoupling of electromagnetic radiation. The proximal and/or distal end faces consist of plastic elements that are transparent at least partially or in sections thereof, the transparent plastic being biocompatible and/or having non-toxic properties to human or animal cell cultures for exposure durations of less than one day. This allows for the production of assemblies for disposable endoscopes, inter alia.

A method for producing a plastic optical fiber including a step of dispersing a pigment in a curable composition containing an active-energy-ray-curable resin and the pigment, and a step of forming a coloring member made from a cured product of the curable composition by applying the curable composition on a peripheral surface of a plastic optical fiber body. The curable composition has a viscosity of 2,000 mPa or more and 3,000 mPa or less at 25° C. In the step of dispersing the pigment, the curable composition is charged into an airtight container having a circular tubular shape with an axis A1 and the airtight container is rotated around the axis A1 intersecting with a vertical line at a circumferential velocity of 0.02 m/sec or more and 0.2 m/sec or less.