Photo-induced surface relief on Azo polymer for optical component fabrication

With respect to the manufacturing of optical elements, facile and effective fabrication method is proposed. It is developed in connection with photo-induced surface relief (PSR) formation phenomenon that occurs on the azobenzene functionalized polymer film. Purely optically inscribed surface relief structures have been used as a plastic mold for manufacturing of its replica. At least a hundred times replication process has been achieved using thermosetting resin without any deterioration. This method has many merits not only from a technical viewpoint but also from a economical efficiency. In this report, first the PSR phenomenon is explained and then several examples for optical component fabrication are demonstrated. photo-induced surface relief (PSR), azobenzene polymer film, optical patterning, polymer mold (template), replication, thermosetting resin, UV curable resin, optical elements, kinoform, laser pattern generator.