Fiber-Fed 3D Printing of Germanate Glass Optics

In recent years, 3D printing glass optics has gained massive attention in industry and academia since could be an ideal material to make optical elements, including the lens. However, limitation of materials methods prevented progress. Therefore, we have developed a novel strategy for germanate instead pure silica. Moreover, compared with traditional multi-component quartz glass, unmatched advantages its mid-infrared (MIR) transparency outstanding visible light imaging performance. Furthermore, non-oxide (fluoride chalcogenide glass), much better mechanical, physical, chemical properties high refractive index. Germanate been widely applied remote sensing, ranging, environmental detection, biomedical detection. it is difficult shape, cast, polish, grind photonics applications such as laser-collimation optics. These drawbacks made inaccessible complex elements greatly increased their cost. this report, use fibers diameter 125 µm based on fiber-fed laser heating technology fabricate mm-size application. paper, combine optimized temperature control process manufacture high-precision elements. can printed excellent IR smooth surface roughness under 4 nm. By optimizing layer-by-layer thermal feedback process, avoid cracks minimize deformation. This work shows possibility widens application