Carrier System for Micro-Optical And/or Other Functional Elements of Microtechnology

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This patent describes a carrier system designed for holding micro-optical or other microtechnology elements. The system features a base plate and one or more retaining elements, which are made from multiple, very thin (less than 1 mm thick) stacked plates, particularly from glass or glass ceramic. This modular approach allows for highly precise and customizable structures, suitable for supporting micro-scale components in various geometries and configurations.

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• Assembly of micro-optical benches for telecommunications (e.g. mounting lenses, fibers, laser diodes)
• Fabrication of high-precision sensor modules with micro-lenses and photodiodes
• Producing modular system substrates for micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS)
• Construction of miniature spectrometers and analytical optical devices
• Integration in bioanalytic measurement cells and microfluidics systems
• Mounting optics for laser material processing systems
• Designing highly stable micro-optical alignment benches for scientific instrumentation or industrial applications
• Production of compact illumination modules and micro-projection systems
• Creating encapsulation solutions for transparent MEMS components

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Allows extremely precise and flexible positioning of function elements thanks to thin, customizable plates
• High adaptability to diverse geometries and applications by stacking and structuring thin plates
• Enables use of materials like glass or glass ceramic with excellent dimensional stability and reliability
• Simplifies fabrication and assembly due to flat, standard plate formats (e.g. A4, A3 thin glass sheets)
• Supports automated manufacturing and mass production
• Reduces cost and complexity compared to traditional micro-optics carriers (e.g. no expensive polishing needed for glass substrates)
• Enables construction of hybrid systems incorporating mechanical, optical, electrical, and fluidic functionalities
• Transparent materials allow integration with UV-curing or laser-bonding processes
• Improved mechanical and thermal stability for demanding microtechnology environments

Technical Classifications (CPCs)

Inventors & Applicants

Patent Abstract

The present invention relates to a carrier system for micro-optical and/or other functional elements of microtechnology, including a base plate and one or more retaining elements for the functional elements that are secured on the base plate. The suggested carrier system is characterized by the fact that the retaining elements are constructed partly or entirely from multiple thin, stacked plates that have a plate thickness of less than 1 mm. In this way, retaining elements for example made from glass or glass ceramic may be created extremely precisely in practically any geometrical shape.