Additive manufacturing of optical components

Inkjet printing of 3D optical elements by using the hybrid polymer ORMOCER® is described. Focus is on a proper material formulation for providing suitable inkjet printing parameters, and on the processing of printing 3D structures layer by layer. Specific challenges for optics, like minimizing layer-to-layer interface effects for creating a close to bulk 3D structure as well as shape and roughness requirements are discussed.