Biomedical subjects

Hans Zappe

Publications and source records attributed to Hans Zappe.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Replicated, high-aspect-ratio micro-optical components fabricated from inorganic solgel materials.

A replication process for the fabrication of refractive microlenses from a purely inorganic solgel material based on tetraethoxysilane is presented. The geometrical dimensions and optical properties of the inorganic microlenses are characterized and compared with those of microlenses replicated in a hybrid xerogel containing organic additives. By a reduced solvent content in the sol composition, together with modifications in the replication process, it was possible to obtain inorganic xerogel lenses with exceptionally high sagittal height values of as much as 28 microm. Compared with the hybrid xerogel, the inorganic xerogel has the advantage of an absorption coefficient that is five times lower in the visible spectral range and exhibits optical transparency in the near-ultraviolet range for wavelengths down to 200 nm.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2006

Tunable Bragg filters based on polymer swelling.

We report on the optical properties of Bragg mirrors and filters fabricated from photo-cross-linked standard optical polymers. The transmittance spectra of these devices in the visible to near-infrared spectral range were measured. We demonstrate efficient tuning of the filter peak of the polymer Bragg filters over several hundred nanometers by adding organic solvents to the surrounding atmosphere of the filter. This represents what we believe to be a novel tuning principle for Bragg filters relying on the use of polymeric materials.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2005

Combined Twyman-Green and Mach-Zehnder interferometer for microlens testing.

A new interferometer design for microlens testing is presented. The phase-shifting system combines the advantages of a Twyman-Green and a Mach-Zehnder interferometer and permits full characterization of the aberrations of microlenses as well as radius of curvature and focal length measurements. The Twyman-Green system is applied to surface testing in reflection (single reflection), whereas the Mach-Zehnder system is used for lens testing in transmission (single pass). Both measurements are performed without removal of the test part, allowing for combination of the results without confusion of the actual lens and without an azimuthal orientation error. The interferometer setup is explained, the test procedure is described, and experimental results are given.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2005

Tunable microfluidic microlenses.

A novel type of liquid microlens, bounded by a microfabricated, distensible membrane and activated by a microfluidic liquid-handling system, is presented. By use of an elastomer membrane fabricated by spin coating onto a dry-etched silicon substrate, the liquid-filled cavity acts as a lens whereby applied pressure changes the membrane distension and thus the focal length. Both plano-convex and plano-concave lenses, individual elements as well as arrays, were fabricated and tested. The lens surface roughness was seen to be approximately 9 nm rms, and the focal length could be tuned from 1 to 18 mm. This lens represents a robust, self-contained tunable optical structure suitable for use in, for example, a medical environment.

Journal Article↗