MEMS-based VCSEL beam steering using replicated polymer diffractive lens

• Abstract. This paper describes a fully integrated micro-optical system, in which dynamic angular control of the beam from a VCSEL (vertical cavity surface emitting laser) is realized by laterally moving a collimat¬ing diffractive lens in the light path. The lens is mounted on a translatable silicon stage, which consists of a frame with an opening for the light to traverse the lens and electro-statically driven comb actuators, by which the lateral movement is achieved. Devices implementing both 1D and 2D scanning have been fabricated and evaluated. Integration of the lens onto the translatable silicon stage is done using a newly developed fabrication process based on hot embossing of an amorphous fluorocarbon polymer. This fabrication process relies on a reversed-order protocol, where the structuring of the optical element precedes the silicon microstructuring. Assembly and packaging of the VCSEL-MOEMS system, using LTCC (low temperature cofired ceramic) technique, is also demonstrated. Optical evaluation of the system and beam steering function shows significant beam deflection for a relatively low driving voltage (~70 V).

Subject headings

TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER  -- Elektroteknik och elektronik -- Annan elektroteknik och elektronik (hsv//swe)

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY  -- Electrical Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Information Engineering -- Other Electrical Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Information Engineering (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Beam steering

Diffractive micro-optics

VCSEL

Replication

MOEMS

Microsystem

TECHNOLOGY

Publication and Content Type

art (subject category)

ref (subject category)