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Optics & Photonics
Enabling progress with adhesives and optical materials from DELO
Sight is the most important human sense. No wonder imaging and optical sensing are among the world’s most fascinating and important technologies, shaping many aspects of our lives. Whether in consumer electronics such as smartphones, in vehicles, for robotics or high-performance medical technology, adhesives and related polymer-based optical materials are indispensable components for these technologies. They make a decisive contribution to continuously driving innovation and improvement. DELO can help you in making new visions possible.
Cameras
Adhesives - invisible, but indispensable for precision and stability
Cameras play a decisive role in our everyday lives: They enable us to capture the most beautiful moments, increase our safety in traffic or support precise diagnoses in medical technology. What you can always find on board are adhesives from DELO. Depending on the area of application, very different requirements are placed on the technologies and materials used. This is why we have created separate areas for the various applications. Learn more about our range of services in the Camera Systems area.
For some camera applications, it makes sense to manufacture optical elements such as microlenses from UV-curing polymers rather than glass. This is particularly the case for highly miniaturized cameras that are also required in large quantities. Endoscope cameras, for example, are less than 1 mm x 1 mm in size and are increasingly disposable products.
DELO's optical materials for microlenses impress with an adapted refractive index, high transmission and balanced thermomechanical behavior, coupled with outstanding reliability. Specially developed products can be efficiently formed directly into optical elements such as lenses via nanoimprint lithography, thus enabling the greatest possible degree of miniaturization of optoelectronic components.
By combining polymers with different properties, such as refractive index or absorption/transmission, complete optical systems can be produced efficiently at wafer level - also known as wafer-level optics.
Would you like to find out more about miniaturized cameras and microlenses based on UV polymers?
Optical Sensors
Optical materials from DELO enable miniaturization and ensure reliability
The miniaturization trend in electronics applies to optical sensors that measure distance (time of flight), brightness / ambient light, as well as 3D sensing and diffractive optical elements (DOEs) that generate structured light for face and object recognition or grating structures, among other things. This is also independent of whether these sensors are ultimately used in smartphones, AR/VR/MR glasses, vehicles or any other end application. Micro-optics and nanostructures are key technologies here, as only they enable high-resolution optical sensors with a small form factor.
The optical materials from DELO have an adapted refractive index and high transmission. For applications in which stray light is to be prevented, there are also suitable products with high absorption for black coatings.
What all DELO optical materials have in common is a balanced thermomechanical behavior paired with outstanding reliability. Specially developed products can be efficiently formed directly into optical elements such as lenses via nanoimprint lithography, thus enabling the greatest possible degree of miniaturization of optoelectronic components.
Nanoimprint Lithography
Elevate your optics game
Nanoimprint lithography (NIL) is a manufacturing process that has become indispensable in the semiconductor industry. With optical materials from DELO, you can produce lenses and nanostructures in large quantities.
In a typical NIL process, a liquid UV-curing polymer is applied to a substrate. The stamp is pressed on and the liquid material flows into its cavities. UV curing then begins, during which the liquid material solidifies. Once this solidification is complete, the stamp can be removed. This creates an embossed structure on the substrate. The achievable structure resolution can be up to 10 nm. Alignment accuracies of less than 1 µm can be achieved with standard industrial equipment.
The UV imprint of individual optical elements is only one aspect of wafer-level optics. The full potential arises when optical systems are produced in parallel at wafer level. This is because, in addition to optical elements such as lenses or diffractive optical elements (DOEs), optical systems require other components such as spacers, apertures or a housing. An entire sensor can also be formed by stacking these elements at wafer level. The individual component, for example a single optical sensor, can ultimately be obtained by mechanical cutting or laser cutting.
DELO has many years of proven experience with nanoimprint lithography. Our materials are specially optimized for this process. They are therefore used by many sensor manufacturers and OEMs. In addition, we maintain close partnerships with all equipment manufacturers in this field.
Would you like to find out more about nanoimprint lithography?
LED Packaging
Indispensable for miniaturization and functionality
LED technology is now the basis of practically all light sources. Functional adhesives play a central role in the manufacture of LED packages. They ensure a homogeneous, brilliant glow of the diodes as well as their fast production. DELO has developed a variety of suitable products for both first-level packaging and second-level packaging.
LED PackagingminiLED and microLED
Would you like to find out more about Adhesives for LED packaging?
LiDAR
Important for stability and accuracy in modern LiDAR systems
The components of LiDAR systems, such as lenses, mirrors, filters or the optical sensor, and with them the adhesives used, must extreme heat, cold and occasionally aggressive media such as road salt to ensure that the sensor functions reliably over the long term.
DELO has a very large portfolio of adhesives based on different chemistries. This enables us to offer ideal solutions for the various bonding points and material combinations. In addition to the optical and mechanical requirements, our products also score with short cycle times and thus efficient production processes thanks to the possibility of light fixation.
Would you like to find out more about LiDAR adhesives?
We are your touchpoint for high-tech bonding. Our specialists worldwide are keen to support you. Get in touch with us now!
