Hot-embossing replication of self-centering optical fiber alignment structures prototyped by deep proton writing

This paper presents the hot-embossing replication of self-centering fiber alignment structures for high-precision, single-mode optical fiber connectors. To this end, a metal mold insert was fabricated by electroforming a polymer prototype patterned by means of deep proton writing (DPW). To achieve t...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Optical engineering 2016-07, Vol.55 (7), p.076112-076112
Main Authors:	Ebraert, Evert, Wissmann, Markus, Guttmann, Markus, Kolew, Alexander, Worgull, Matthias, Barié, Nicole, Schneider, Marc, Hofmann, Andreas, Beri, Stefano, Watté, Jan, Thienpont, Hugo, Van Erps, Jürgen
Format:	Article
Language:	eng
Online Access:	Get full text
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Summary:	This paper presents the hot-embossing replication of self-centering fiber alignment structures for high-precision, single-mode optical fiber connectors. To this end, a metal mold insert was fabricated by electroforming a polymer prototype patterned by means of deep proton writing (DPW). To achieve through-hole structures, we developed a postembossing process step to remove the residual layer inherently present in hot-embossed structures. The geometrical characteristics of the hot-embossed replicas are compared, before and after removal of the residual layer, with the DPW prototypes. Initial measurements on the optical performance of the replicas are performed. The successful replication of these components paves the way toward low-cost mass replication of DPW-fabricated prototypes in a variety of high-tech plastics.
ISSN:	0091-3286 1560-2303