Green Manufacturing of Electrically-Tunable Smart Light-Weight Planar Optics: A Review

• Published in: International journal of precision engineering and manufacturing-green technology Vol. 11; no. 3; pp. 1029 - 1051
• Main Authors: Yang, Dongwook, Lee, Younggeun, Kang, Hyeokin, Vu, Quang Huy, Kang, Guseon, Lee, Seung Eon, Han, Hyogeun, Kim, Seunghwan, Nam, Han Ku, Kwon, Soongeun, Rhee, Hyug-Gyo, Lee, Joohyung, Yoo, Hongki, Yoon, Hyosang, Kim, Young-Jin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Seoul Korean Society for Precision Engineering 01-05-2024; Springer Nature B.V; 한국정밀공학회
• Subjects: Beams (radiation); Cellular telephones; Design; Diffractive optical elements; Diffractive optics; Direct laser writing; Emissions; Endoscopy; Energy consumption; Energy Efficiency; Engineering; Environmental stewardship; Gallium arsenide; Hazardous materials; Industrial and Production Engineering; Manufacturing; Manufacturing industry; Medical imaging; Optical components; Optics; Photovoltaic cells; Photovoltaics; Refractivity; Review; Reviews; Satellites; Silicon; Space exploration; Sustainable Development; Sustainable materials; Telecommunications systems; Weight; Weight reduction; 기계공학; Green manufacturing; Laser direct writing; Diffractive optical element; Tunable planar optics
• ISSN: 2288-6206; 2198-0810
• DOI: 10.1007/s40684-024-00621-z

Evolving demands for compact, light-weight, and versatile optical systems across various industries require the facile integration of planar diffractive optics. For the manufacturing of diffractive optics, green manufacturing becomes the prerequisite with timely considerations of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG). Conventional manufacturing processes such as semiconductor lithography or nano /micro imprinting utilize a large amount of harmful chemicals. Meanwhile, direct laser writing emerges as one of the key solution candidates, offering clear advantages over others, especially in terms of eco-friendliness due to the simple manufacturing process with less chemical usage. In this comprehensive review, we present recent advances in the analytical design, green manufacturing of electrically tunable smart light-weight planar optics, and their promising applications in space optics, photovoltaics, and optical imaging, highlighting the necessity for tunability in focal length, aberration, transparency, and beam propagation direction. Various types of electrically tunable diffractive optical elements utilizing active modulation of refractive index, geometrical shape, and bandgap have been discussed. Finally, this review concludes by proposing the integration of ultra-thin and light-weight diffractive optics presenting potential applications in micro-electronics, biomedical imaging, space exploration, and extended reality.