Our lensed fiber arrays (LFAs) are v-groove optical fiber arrays with 3D printed lenses at the ends of the fibers. They are intended for free space coupling to other fiber arrays, photonic integrated circuits (PICs), or other components. The printed microlenses can focus or collimate the light from the fibers, enabling mode field conversion or coupling over larger distances.
The high-precision 3D printing of lenses is performed on our Nanoscribe Quantum X Align tool. This additive manufacturing process offers many advantages over traditional, subtractive, methods of creating lensed or tapered fibers, such as:
- High positioning accuracy relative to the fiber core.
- Full control over lens design parameters, such as asphericity for aberration correction.
- The ability to print directly onto existing surfaces, enabling more options for light coupling.
The table below shows the correlation between wavelength, mode field diameter, working distance, and lens height.
Lens type | Wavelength (nm) | Mode field diameter (µm) | Working distance (µm) | Lens height (µm) |
Collimating | 460 | 22 | 100 | 211 |
520 | 25 | |||
620 | 24 | |||
780 | 30 | |||
1060 | 30 | |||
1310 | 25 | |||
1550 | 26 | |||
Focusing | 460 | 1.7 | 29 | 97 |
520 | 1.9 | 29 | ||
620 | 2.2 | 29 | ||
780 | 2.4 | 31 | ||
1060 | 3.1 | 30 | ||
1310 | 3.4 | 25 | ||
1550 | 3.6 | 25 |
If you still can’t find the configuration you’re looking for or have special requests, please fill out our custom lensed fiber array form. We will get back you you with a price and lead time.