3D printed fiber optic faceplates by custom controlled fused deposition modeling

• DOI: 10.1364/oe.26.015362
• Publication Date: 2018-06-04T17:48:51Z
• Authors: Ye Wang; John Gawedzinski; Michal E. Pawlowski; Tomasz S. Tkaczyk
• Keywords: Fused Deposition Modeling; 3d printed

A 3D printing technique for manufacturing air-clad coherent fiber optic faceplates is presented. The custom G-code programming implemented on a fused deposition modeling (FDM) desktop printer to additively draw optical fibers using high-transparency thermoplastic filaments. printed faceplate consists of 20000 and achieves spatial resolution 1.78 LP/mm. Transmission loss crosstalk are characterized compared among the from four kinds transparent filaments as well different thicknesses. temperature verified by testing transmission under temperatures. Compared with conventional stack-and-draw fabrication, FDM simplifies fabrication procedure. ability arbitrary organization, structure overall shape provides additional degree freedom opto-mechanical design. Our results indicate promising capability technology devices.