Ralf Biertümpfel

Advanced astronomical filter design: challenges, strategy, and results to meet current and future requirements

The Observatorio Astrofisico de Javalambre in Spain will conduct an all-sky astronomical survey using multi-bands, where optical filters are needed. These filters are narrow bandpass steep edge filters (FWHM = 14.5 nm) in a spectrum between 390 to 920 nm with 10.0 nm steps. In order to fulfill the demanding requirements for final scientific image quality and transmitted wavefront error a new white-light Shack Hartmann sensor and difficult refractive index measurements of the sub-assembly were needed. In addition due to the spectral requirements the design and manufacturing of the filters were pushed at its technological limit.

Glass Micro-Optics for Laser Beam Shaper and LED Collimation

A design and measurements of glass diffractive optical beam shaper is shown generating a ‘flat hat’ light distribution. Furthermore the design of a LED collimation lens is presented including the manufacturing as lens array.

Characterization and measurement results of fluorescence in absorption optical filter glass

Optical filter glasses (absorption filters) are for example used for spectroscopy. The filter glass absorbs the unwanted light and has a nearly angle independent spectral characteristic. The absorbed light can lead to (self-) fluorescence, i. e. the filter glass itself re-emits fluorescence light at a different wavelength - compared to the incident (excitation) light. This fluorescence light can disturb the measurement signal. In order to obtain an optimized optical design the fluorescence properties of the glasses must be known. By knowing fluorescence properties one can design a system with a good signal-to-noise ratio. We will present our measurement set-up for fluorescence measurements of optical filter glass. This set-up was used to obtain fluorescence measurement results for different optical filter glasses. For the first time we present results on the fluorescence level for different optical filter glasses. In addition the effect of excitation wavelength on the fluorescence level will be studied. Besides other factors, fluorescence depends on impurities of the raw material of the glass melt. Due to small fluctuations of the raw material used for the glass production the fluorescence of the same filter glass type can fluctuate from melt-to-melt. Thus, results from different melts will be shown for the same filter glass type.

Precise dispersion equations of absorbing filter glasses

The refractive indices versus wavelength of optical transparent glasses are measured at a few wavelengths only. In order to calculate the refractive index at any wavelength, a so-called Sellmeier series is used as an approximation of the wavelength dependent refractive index. Such a Sellmeier representation assumes an absorbing free (= loss less) material. In optical transparent glasses this assumption is valid since the absorption of such transparent glasses is very low. However, optical filter glasses have often a rather high absorbance in certain regions of the spectrum. The exact description of the wavelength dependent function of the refractive index is essential for an optimized design for sophisticated optical applications. Digital cameras use an IR cut filter to ensure good color rendition and image quality. In order to reduce ghost images by reflections and to be nearly angle independent absorbing filter glass is used, e.g. blue glass BG60 from SCHOTT. Nowadays digital cameras improve their performance and so the IR cut filter needs to be improved and thus the accurate knowledge of the refractive index (dispersion) of the used glasses must be known. But absorbing filter glass is not loss less as needed for a Sellmeier representation. In addition it is very difficult to measure it in the absorption region of the filter glass. We have focused a lot of effort on measuring the refractive index at specific wavelength for absorbing filter glass – even in the absorption region. It will be described how to do such a measurement. In addition we estimate the use of a Sellmeier representation for filter glasses. It turns out that in most cases a Sellmeier representation can be used even for absorbing filter glasses. Finally Sellmeier coefficients for the approximation of the refractive index will be given for different filter glasses.

NIR cutoff filter for true color imaging sensors

Abstract The function of a near-infrared (NIR) cutoff filter for imaging sensors is being described. The main purpose of the NIR cut filter is to obtain correct color recognition; therefore, the NIR filter is made of an absorbing filter glass and an interference coating. The absorbing filter glass is needed to minimize multiple reflections inside the lens system, which are the cause for ghost images. An additional interference coating enhances the function of the filter. Coating and filter glass are strongly dependent on each other. This requires high reproducibility and low tolerances of the filter glass and interference coating. In addition, features like inner quality – especially striae – and stability of the refractive index are important. A NIR cut filter may be designed as a flat plate or as a lens. Our analysis provides an estimation about striae level and variation of transmittance and their effect on image quality and color recognition. Furthermore, the use of an absorption filter glass as a lens (shrinking down the overall size) is discussed in terms of the influence on transmission and striae.

LED collimation using high-index glass

LEDs emit light over a broad range of angles. Additionally, a narrow collimation of LED light is difficult because of the broad emission area of the LED. In order to implement an efficient beam shaping with small optics we propose to use a glass lens design with a refractive index (nd) greater than 1.7. Our design is characterized by a very small size and a high efficiency. This enables us to design optical arrays with an extremely high packing density of LEDs. Additional advantages are the high temperature resistance, the climate resistance and the stability against solarization. For many applications the footprint of the light beam should not only be collimated but also formed into a specific shape. Design results for a rectangular or oval beam shaping using high refractive index glass are presented. The designs collimate the broad emitted LED light and are optimized to incorporate also the manufacturability of the lens. Our proposed lens designs can easily be manufactured by modern pressing techniques, thus, these solutions are suitable for mass production.

Diffractive optical elements fabricated for beam shaping of high-power diode lasers

This paper discusses the use of diffractive optical elements (DOEs) and micro-optics fabricated by precise pressing in glass for beam shaping of high-power diode lasers. The DOEs are used to diffract the light into the point of interest and to improve the laser beam quality. We have realized circular, flat-top and multi-beam intensity profiles. The highest measured diffraction efficiency was higher than 95 %. The new established fabrication process has potential for mass production of DOEs. SCHOTTs precision glass molding process guarantees a very constant quality over the complete production chain.