Controlled USP laser ablation strategies for shaping optics

Freeform Optics: current challenges for future serial production

“…The achievements over the last years are continuing in fields of ultrashort pulsed (USP) lasers and their application and widen the landscape of alternative technologies for optical component manufacturing and system integration. There are many potential USP-laser based processes in the long-term forecast: Athermal ablation for 3Dmaterial removal [7][8][9] or local polishing 10-13 by selective thermal interaction are two promising technologies, which combined in one machine could disrupt optics manufacturing. Other approaches like edging by ablation or by filament generation up to several millimeter thick glasses 14 , direct laser micro-or nanostructuring [15][16] , selective laser etching for micromachining 3D-parts [17][18] or additive manufacturing techniques like two-photon polymerization for structured or printed optics 19 are already applied in industrial environment.…”