Random Silica-Glass Microlens Arrays Based on the Molding Technology of Photocurable Nanocomposites

Random microlens arrays (rMLAs) have been widely applied as a beam-shaping component within an optical system. Silica glass is undoubtedly the best choice for rMLAs because of its wide range of spectra with high transmission and high damage threshold. Yet, machining silica glass with user-defined shapes is still challenging. In this work, novel design and fabrication methods of random silica-glass microlens arrays (rSMLAs) are proposed and a detailed investigation of this technology is presented. Based on the molding technology, the fabricated rSMLAs with tunable divergent angles demonstrate superior physical properties with 1.81 nm roughness, 1074.33 HV hardness, and excellent thermal stability at 1250 °C for 3 h. Meanwhile, their characterized optical performance shows a high transmission of over 90% in the ultraviolet spectrum. The fabricated two types of rSMLAs exhibit excellent effects of beam homogenization with surprising energy utilization (more than 90%) and light spot uniformity (more than 80%). This innovative process paves a new route for fabricating rMLAs on solid silica glass and breaking down the barrier of rMLAs to broader applications.