Abstract: A confocal microscope includes a housing, which may be printed, and which includes mounts for receiving optical and other components of the microscope. The positions of the mounts are pre-determined so as to obviate the need for complex calibration of the components. The components and optical path lengths are selected in order to optimise the size of the microscope.

Abstract: The present invention relates to microscopy and spectroscopy systems, particularly to confocal microscopy and spectroscopy apparatus. Current confocal microscopes are expensive and difficult to set up and calibrate. The confocal microscope described in this document, comprises a housing, which may be printed, and which includes mounts for receiving optical and other components of the microscope. The positions of the mounts are pre-determined so as to obviate the need for complex calibration of the components. The components and optical path lengths are selected in order to optimise the size of the microscope.

Abstract: Microfabricated lenses, e.g., solid immersion lens (SIL) structures, are provided along with techniques for constructing these lens structures, as well as selected applications of such lens structures.

Abstract: Microfabricated lenses, e.g., solid immersion lens (SIL) structures, are provided along with techniques for constructing these lens structures, as well as selected applications of such lens structures.

Abstract: Soft lithography with surface tension control is used to microfabricate extremely efficient solid immersion lenses (SILs) out of rubber elastomeric material for use in microscope type applications. In order to counteract the surface tension of the mold material in a negative mold that causes creep on a positive mold, material such as RTV is partially cured before use in order to allow the reticulation of polymer chains to change the viscosity of the uncured material in a controllable manner. In a specific embodiment, the techniques of soft lithography with surface tension control are used to make molded SILs out of the elastomer polydimethylsiloxane. The lenses achieve an NA in the range of 1.25. The principle of compound lens design is used to make the first compound solid immersion lens, which is corrected for higher light gathering ability and has a calculated NA=1.32.

Abstract: Microfabricated lenses, e.g., solid immersion lens (SIL) structures, are provided along with techniques for constructing these lens structures, as well as selected applications of such lens structures.

Abstract: Soft lithography with surface tension control is used to microfabricate extremely efficient solid immersion lenses (SILs) out of rubber elastomeric material for use in microscope type applications. In order to counteract the surface tension of the mold material in a negative mold that causes creep on a positive mold, material such as RTV is partially cured before use in order to allow the reticulation of polymer chains to change the viscosity of the uncured material in a controllable manner. In a specific embodiment, the techniques of soft lithography with surface tension control are used to make molded SILs out of the elastomer polydimethylsiloxane. The lenses achieve an NA in the range of 1.25. The principle of compound lens design is used to make the first compound solid immersion lens, which is corrected for higher light gathering ability and has a calculated NA=1.32.

Abstract: Microfabricated lenses, e.g., solid immersion lens (SIL) structures, are provided along with techniques for constructing these lens structures, as well as selected applications of such lens structures.

Abstract: This project encompassed design and fabrication of a single pixel for a solar concentrator photovoltaic monolithic microarray. Photovoltaic concentrators offer a competitive electricity cost. Such concentrating microarrays may enable photovoltaic cells with 40-50% efficiency using III-V compound heterostructures. The main components of the design include a thin film solar cell, an array of soft polymer microlenses to optimally concentrate solar radiation, and a heat sink to manage the heat dissipated. Microlens arrays were fabricated in polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) using soft lithography techniques and the optical properties (absorbance, lens magnification, aberrations, etc) were characterized. The results indicate that such microarrays can be used for a monolithic concentrating photovoltaic array.

Abstract: Microfabricated lenses, e.g., solid immersion lens (SIL) structures, are provided along with techniques for constructing these lens structures, as well as selected applications of such lens structures.

Abstract: Microfabricated lenses, e.g., solid immersion lens (SIL) structures, are provided along with techniques for constructing these lens structures, as well as selected applications of such lens structures.

Abstract: This project encompassed design and fabrication of a single pixel for a solar concentrator photovoltaic monolithic microarray. Photovoltaic concentrators offer a competitive electricity cost. Such concentrating microarrays may enable photovoltaic cells with 40-50% efficiency using III-V compound heterostructures. The main components of the design include a thin film solar cell, an array of soft polymer microlenses to optimally concentrate solar radiation, and a heat sink to manage the heat dissipated. Microlens arrays were fabricated in polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) using soft lithography techniques and the optical properties (absorbance, lens magnification, aberrations, etc) were characterized. The results indicate that such microarrays can be used for a monolithic concentrating photovoltaic array.