Mainz 2026 – scientific programme

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SYLA: Symposium New Trends in Laser Systems and their Applications for Photonic Quantum Systems and Emerging Technologies

SYLA 1: Production Technologies for Integrated Photonic (Quantum) Systems

SYLA 1.3: Invited Talk

Tuesday, March 3, 2026, 12:00–12:30, P 1

3D printed micro-optics: Novel fabrication enabling innovative designs — •Michael Schmid, Simon Thiele, and Nils Fahrbach — Printoptix GmbH, Nobelstraße 15, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany

In recent years, 3D direct laser writing (also known as 2pp), has established itself as an irreplacable tool to fabricate complex micro-optical systems.

From the initial prototype fabrication in the academic field, the fabrication method has established itself on the commercial field, offering annual production in the 100.000s of complex, user defined micro-optical parts.

The design possibilities of 3D printed optics on the µm up to mm scale are unmatched, enabling unique optical designs with outstanding performance. This includes monolithic free-form aspheric multi-lens systems, the combination of refractive, diffractive and reflective optics, as well as different lens materials with varying dispersion, and the integration of apertures. Both, illuminating and imaging optics, as well as holographic optics, can be 3d printed. These possibilities offer innovative optical designs in various fields such as endoscopy, beam shaping, and microscopy.

Keywords: 3D direct laser writing; 2 photon polymerization; Micro-optics; Free-form surfaces; Optical design