aBeam technologies is headquartered in Hayward, CA. We develop state-of-the-art nanofabrication processes, specializing in nanoimprint lithography. Our applications focus on the fabrication of a new class of fiber based photonic devices. The development of a product can range in quantities from a prototype to pilot production in the shortest time possible.
In 2015, the aBeam technologies nanofabrication team was recognized with the prestigious R&D 100 award.
Fiber lens focuses light that comes out of the fiber into a near diffraction-limited spot.
Our fiber lenses have a near diffraction-limited performance, can operate inside other materials and focus light into an elliptical spot. The excellent performance and reproducibility is the result of a fiber nanoimprint technology. Each lens is a replica of the free-form nanoscale mold. This technology gives an unmatched flexibility in the tuning of optical properties and the choice of material.
Focal spot from a fiber with vortex phase plate. The FWHM of the vortex fiber dark spot is 240 nm.
Our vortex phase plates are extremely easy to use. By fabricating the spiral phase plate directly on a fiber, we eliminated the need for optical alignment and free-space optics. The output of the optical fiber does not change over time, and neither does our vortex beam. The stability and ease of use are what makes for an excellent optical vortex generator.
Fiber collimator reduces the divergence angle of the light output from an optical fiber. Fiber collimators are used to match the output beam from a fiber with the optical setup or to couple light from free-space into the fiber. Unlike conventional collimators that use GRIN lenses, our fiber collimators use a free-form diffractive lens. The diffractive lens provides excellent optical performance, similar to the aspheric lens, but, unlike the aspheric, it is very compact. The diffractive lens is fabricated on the fiber facet using nanoimprint lithography. This ensures optical stability and eliminates the need for mechanical housing, further reducing the size of our fiber collimator.
Measured far-field from a fiber with the flat top beam shaper
Flat-top beam shaper modifies the output beam from a fiber to create a uniform intensity distribution. Far field of a regular single-mode fiber has a Gaussian profile. The nonuniform intensity distribution of the Gaussian beam makes it difficult to use for illumination applications. Only the very center of the beam can be utilized, while most of the beam energy is lost. The diffractive beam shaper turns the beam profile into a flat-top – beam with uniform intensity in the center – without any energy loss. Our beam shaper is fabricated on the fiber facet, which makes it very compact, easy to use and stable.
High refractive index material for nanofabrication
One of the technologies that make Fiber Photonics possible is our high refractive index material that can be used for high-resolution nanofabrication. High transparency in visible to near-IR wavelength range and refractive index as high as 2.05 makes these materials indispensable for multiple applications, such as anti-reflective coatings, micro-optics, and printable photonics. UV-curable and thermal nanoimprint options are available.
Fiber imprint technology can be applied to many areas that can benefit from compact size and ease of integration. Our company offers a product development services that cover all the stages from the initial design to the final optical testing. The potential devices include diffractive lenses, beam shapers, beam splitters, vortex beam generators and more.
