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: Micro-optics, in particular for connection to an optical fiber or a substrate, including an optics module. The optics module has at least one optical element and at least one cavity directly adjacent to one side of the optical element, and a sleeve completely surrounding the optics module. The sleeve and the optics module being connected to one another by a light-impermeable adhesive. A aperture of the optics module being formed by the light-impermeable adhesive.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a micro-optics, including the steps of creating at least one optical component, creating a grid structure of a support structure at least partially surrounding the at least one optical component, filling the grid structure with a curable polymer, and curing the polymer in the grid structure to create the support structure.

Abstract: An optical probe assembly including a lens assembly extending along a central axis for optically coupling to an optical fiber. The lens assembly can have a forward facing exit window. The exit window can have an exit lens with a convex exit surface. The exit lens can extend from a periphery of the exit window and terminate partway across the exit window. The convex exit surface of the exit lens can be tilted inwardly relative to the central axis. The exit lens can bend light received from the optical fiber forwardly out of the exit window at an outward angle relative to the central axis.

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: Micro-optics, in particular for connection to a fiber endoscope, including an entry face and an exit face, the exit face being connectable to an end face of the fiber endoscope, and dispersive optics arranged between the entry face and the exit face, so that light passing the dispersive optics is split at the exit face depending on the wavelength, the micro-optics being monolithic.

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 for generating electric current comprises the method steps of providing an organic compound having at least one ether function, reacting the organic compound with water in a reaction chamber having an acidic environment to form an enriched hydrogen carrier medium, converting the enriched hydrogen carrier medium into electricity to form a depleted hydrogen carrier medium in a fuel cell, obtaining water, and providing electric current generated during said conversion into electricity.

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 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 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: 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 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.