THIN PLASTIC OPTICS FOR SENSORS
Many sensor applications require controlling the light, whether it is shaping, directing or diffracting. Traditionally light is controlled with refracting glass optics, but options exist. Through surface microstructures and/or diffractive optics, same functionality can be accomplished with thin plastic film components. Film components are thinner and lighter in weight as well as lower in cost when compared to traditional glass components. Additionally by choice of material and its properties, components can flexible or rigid.
Nanocomp has wide variety of components and solutions available for sensor optics manufactured on thin plastic film by UV roll-to-roll imprinting. Customized solutions can be done accompanied with extensive simulations, providing great results on complex challenges.
Many microstructure solutions, such as microlenses, microprisms, gratings, diffractive elements or lightguides, can be used for measuring and sensor applications that require high accuracy and functionality. Some examples are ambient light or motion detection sensors, self-leveling laser line systems, industrial optical sensing and other optical sensors. Biometric identification is rising application area that can utilize Nanocomp’s optical solutions. There can be used lightguide with controlled light output, collimation lenses and microlens arrays for focusing.
Benefits
- Very thin solutions supported by Nanocomp production technology. Total component thickness down to 20-30µm
- Very experienced in-house microstructure design with design for manufacturing (DFM) approach
- Rapid prototooling & simulations
Applications
- Ambient light sensors
- Biometric identification
- Motion or gesture recognition
- Laser measuring/leveling systems
- Machine vision / Optical sensing