Abstract: An optical element (100) is provided comprising a first surface (102) for emitting and/or receiving electromagnetic radiation, the first surface being arranged for optically coupling to, or being optically coupled to, a portion of an optical fibre (104) having an axis. The optical element (100) comprising a second surface (106) positioned for emitting and/or receiving electromagnetic radiation in a direction transversal to the axis of the optical fibre (104), wherein the optical element (100) has a first focal length for electromagnetic radiation emitted and/or received by an inner portion of the second surface (106) and a second focal length for electromagnetic radiation emitted and/or received by an outer portion of the second surface (106), the first and second focal lengths being different focal lengths. A method of forming an optical device comprising the optical element (100) and further comprising an optical fibre coupled to the optical element is also provided.

Abstract: A method of fabricating an imaging system as well as to a corresponding imaging system. The method includes providing a substrate; and forming, by means of a 3D-printing technique, a 3D structure on the substrate, wherein the forming of the 3D structure includes forming a stack of at least two diffractive optical elements in a single printing step.

Abstract: An apparatus and a corresponding method for generating at least one random number are disclosed. The apparatus includes an optical parametric oscillator being pumped by a pump signal with a predetermined pump power and a predetermined pump frequency. The optical parametric oscillator is configured to operate in a period multiplication state for providing an oscillator output signal of alternating light pulses, the oscillator output signal having a period that is N-times the period of the pump signal, where N is an integer and N>I. The apparatus also includes a comparing unit being configured to compare the output signal with a reference signal, wherein the reference signal has a frequency that is 1/N of the predetermined pump frequency, and an evaluation unit being configured to generate the at least one random number based on the comparison of the output signal with the reference signal.

Abstract: An endoscope includes a shaft having a distal end, an optical imaging device at the distal end of the shaft for producing a real image of an object observed by means of the endoscope and at least one of an image transfer device for transmitting the real image and an image sensor for capturing the real image. The imaging device has curved light-refracting interfaces, which are tilted in relation to one another.

Abstract: multi-aperture system for foveated imaging as well as to a corresponding multi-aperture system. The method comprises the steps of: providing an image sensor; and forming, by means of a 3D-printing technique, at least two imaging elements directly on the image sensor such that the imaging elements have a common focal plane located on the image sensor and each imaging element has a different focal length and field of view.

Abstract: The invention relates to a 3D-printed actuatable optical device and a method for fabricating the actuatable optical device. The method comprises the following steps: forming a three-dimensional structure (50) of the optical device (100) with the aid of a 3D printer in such a way that the three-dimensional structure (50) has: at least one optical element, and at least one microfluidic cavity (4) for accommodating a magnetic substance (6); filling the at least one microfluidic cavity (4) with the magnetic substance (6). The invention further relates to the use of a magnetizable fluid for fabricating a magnetically actuatable optical device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for producing at least one microstructure (5) on an axial end (1a) of an optical fiber (1). The method comprises the following steps: —providing (S10) the optical fiber (1); —wetting (S20) the axial end (1a) of the optical fiber (1) with photoresist (2); —orienting (S30) the optical fiber (1) and a writing beam of a 3D printer with respect to one another; —forming (S40) the at least one microstructure (5) by exposing the photoresist (2) to light with the aid of the 3D printer.

Abstract: An apparatus and a corresponding method for generating at least one random number are disclosed. The apparatus includes an optical parametric oscillator being pumped by a pump signal with a predetermined pump power and a predetermined pump frequency. The optical parametric oscillator is configured to operate in a period multiplication state for providing an oscillator output signal of alternating light pulses, the oscillator output signal having a period that is N-times the period of the pump signal, where N is an integer and N>1. The apparatus also includes a comparing unit being configured to compare the output signal with a reference signal, wherein the reference signal has a frequency that is 1/N of the predetermined pump frequency, and an evaluation unit being configured to generate the at least one random number based on the comparison of the output signal with the reference signal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of fabricating an imaging system as well as to a corresponding imaging system. The method comprises the steps of:—providing a substrate;—forming, by means of a 3D-printing technique, a 3D-structure (100) on the substrate, wherein the forming of the 3D-structure (100) comprises forming a stack of at least two diffractive optical elements (10) in a single printing step.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing an optical element (100) having at least one functional region using a 3D-printer, comprising the steps: forming a three-dimensional structure (50) of the optical element (100) using a 3D-printer such that the three-dimensional structure (100) has at least one microfluidic cavity (4) for receiving a functional substance (6); and filling the at least one microfluidic cavity (4) with the functional substance (6) for forming the at least one functional region. In addition, the invention relates to a device for manufacturing an optical element (100) as well as a use of the device.

Abstract: A device for switchably influencing electromagnetic radiation includes a phase change material and an optically responsive structure. The phase change material is switchable between at least a first state and a second state. The first state and the second state have different electrical and/or magnetic properties. The optically responsive structure is in contact with the phase change material and has at least a first nanostructure and a second nanostructure. The first nanostructure is being different from the second nanostructure. The first nanostructure is optically responsive at a predetermined electromagnetic wavelength when the phase change material is in its first state, and non-responsive at the predetermined wavelength when the phase change material is in its second state.

Abstract: An endoscope includes a shaft having a distal end, an optical imaging device at the distal end of the shaft for producing a real image of an object observed by means of the endoscope and at least one of an image transfer device for transmitting the real image and an image sensor for capturing the real image. The imaging device has curved light-refracting interfaces, which are tilted in relation to one another.

Abstract: multi-aperture system for foveated imaging as well as to a corresponding multi-aperture system. The method comprises the steps of: providing an image sensor; and forming, by means of a 3D-printing technique, at least two imaging elements directly on the image sensor such that the imaging elements have a common focal plane located on the image sensor and each imaging element has a different focal length and field of view.

Abstract: A device with switchable, chiral optical characteristics, has a first chiral arrangement with a first arrangement layer with at least one first nanostructure and a second arrangement layer with at least one second nanostructure. The first nanostructure and the second nanostructure are arranged relative to one another such that the chiral arrangement is chiral. A switching material with switchable dielectric characteristics is arranged between the first arrangement layer and the second arrangement layer.

Abstract: A device for switchably influencing electromagnetic radiation includes a phase change material and an optically responsive structure. The phase change material is switchable between at least a first state and a second state. The first state and the second state have different electrical and/or magnetic properties. The optically responsive structure is in contact with the phase change material and has at least a first nanostructure and a second nanostructure. The first nanostructure is being different from the second nanostructure. The first nanostructure is optically responsive at a predetermined electromagnetic wavelength when the phase change material is in its first state, and non-responsive at the predetermined wavelength when the phase change material is in its second state.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for producing at least one microstructure (5) on an axial end (1a) of an optical fiber (1). The method comprises the following steps: —providing (S10) the optical fiber (1); —wetting (S20) the axial end (1a) of the optical fiber (1) with photoresist (2); —orienting (S30) the optical fiber (1) and a writing beam of a 3D printer with respect to one another; —forming (S40) the at least one microstructure (5) by exposing the photoresist (2) to light with the aid of the 3D printer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for connecting a solid core optical fiber (2) with another optical fiber (20), wherein the solid core optical fiber (2) comprises a joining device (10), which is created on one axial end of the solid core optical fiber (2) using a 3D printer and wherein the other optical fiber (20) is incorporated in the joining device (10) via an axial end of the other optical fiber (20), which is thus connected with the solid core optical fiber (2). In addition, the invention relates to a solid core optical fiber (2) with a joining device (10) created by a 3D-printer, and the relevant use of a 3D printer.

Abstract: Optical system and method for the provision of at least one high-frequency modulated light pulse having a pump light source for the provision of high-frequency pump light pulses; an optical resonator having a coupling element for coupling the pump light pulses into the resonator and a decoupling element for decoupling the at least one high-frequency modulated light pulse from the resonator and an optically non-linear frequency conversion medium arranged in the resonator for transforming the pump light pulses in each case into two conversion light pulses and one residual pump light pulse. The resonator comprises a feedback arm for at least one of the two conversion light pulses and/or the residual pump light pulse, in which an optically non-linear feedback medium is arranged for the optical modulation of the at least one conversion light pulse and/or the residual pump light pulse.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing an optical element (100) having at least one functional region using a 3D-printer, comprising the steps: forming a three-dimensional structure (50) of the optical element (100) using a 3D-printer such that the three-dimensional structure (100) has at least one microfluidic cavity (4) for receiving a functional substance (6); and filling the at least one microfluidic cavity (4) with the functional substance (6) for forming the at least one functional region. In addition, the invention relates to a device for manufacturing an optical element (100) as well as a use of the device.

Abstract: A device with switchable, chiral optical characteristics, has a first chiral arrangement with a first arrangement layer with at least one first nanostructure and a second arrangement layer with at least one second nanostructure. The first nanostructure and the second nanostructure are arranged relative to one another such that the chiral arrangement is chiral. A switching material with switchable dielectric characteristics is arranged between the first arrangement layer and the second arrangement layer.