Introduction

Gradient Index (GRIN) Lenses
• GRIN rod lenses for fiber coupling

• GRIN cylindrical lenses for beam shaping of
high power laser diode bars and high
brightness diodes
• easy to assemble due to the plane surfaces
• good off- and on-axis performance
• AR-coating on both sides possible
• non-toxic silver and lithium ion exchange
Gradient Index Optics
GRIN lenses represent an interesting alternative

to conventional spherical lenses since the lens 2π
z 1−p= g
performance depends on a continuous change
of the refractive index within the lens material.
Instead of curved shaped surfaces only plane and does not depend on the entrance height
optical surfaces are used. The light rays are and the entrance angle of the light ray (see Fig
continuously bent within the lens until finally 2). n0 represents the refractive index at the
they are focussed on a spot. center of the profile, r the radius and g the
gradient constant.
Fig. 1 GRIN lens Conventional spherical lens
The GRIN lenses are produced by silver ion

exchange in a special glass. The composition of
the glass is protected by a patent. In contrast to
the conventionally used technology this is a non-
toxic process and bears no health and Fig. 2. Ray traces within a GRIN focussing lens of different
environmental risks for both the producer as pitch lengths
well as the user of these products. This process
is performed in rods and slabs resulting in rod The geometrical length of the particular lens z l is
lenses and cylindrical lenses with plane optical calculated from the characteristic pitch of the
surfaces. lens P,
2π
A radial refractive index profile of nearly zl = P.
g
parabolic shape
Various imaging designs can be realized using
n( r ) = n0 sech( gr )
the same index profile by choosing different lens
lengths:
realizes a continuos cosine ray trace within a
GRIN focussing lens, the period length z 1-p of the A quarter-pitch lens images a point source on
lens is given by the entrance surface of the lens into infinity or
Phone: +49 (0) 3641 / 2276-0 w w w . g r i n t e c h.de email: info@grintech.de

Fax: +49 (0) 3641 / 2276-11
collimates it, respectively. This configuration is A half-pitch lens images an object on the
usually applied to the collimation of single-mode entrance surface inverted to the exit surface of
and multi-mode optical fibers and laser diodes. the lens.
For high-power laser diodes, GRIN cylindrical
lenses are used for the Fast-Axis-Collimation. A 1- (2, 3, or more, respectively)-pitch lens
reproduces an object placed in the entrance
A 0.23-pitch lens images a point source placed surface of the lens identically into the exit
in the working distance s into infinity or surface.
collimates it (see Fig. 3).
The maximum acceptance angle of a GRIN
zl
collimating lens ϑ is determined by the
numerical aperture NA. As in fiber optics, it is
derived from the maximum index change of the
GRIN profile,
d
sin(ϑ ) = NA = n 20 − n R2 = n 0 1 − sech2 ( gd / 2 ) .
s
f nR is the refractive index at the margin of the
profile, and d is the lens diameter or the lens
Fig. 3. GRIN rod lens thickness, respectively.
The geometrical gradient constant g and the GRIN lenses with a high numerical aperture (NA
lens length zl determines the focal length f and ≈ 0.5) are produced by silver ion exchange in a
the working distance s of the lens, special glass which avoids any coloration in the
visible spectral range. The absorption edge of
1 1 the silver containing glass occurs at a
f = , s= wavelength of λ0.5 = 370 nm. GRIN lenses with
n0 g sin( gz l ) n0 g tan( gz l )
low numerical aperture (NA ≤ 0.2) are fabricated
via lithium ion exchange. The absorption edge of
Various imaging problems can be solved by the glass being used is at a wavelength of λ0.5 =
choosing different lens lengths z l (see Fig.4). 235 nm.
Fig. 4. Image formation by a GRIN focusing lens
Phone: +49 (0) 3641 / 2276-0 w w w . g r i n t e c h.de email: info@grintech.de

Fax: +49 (0) 3641 / 2276-11

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Gradient Index (GRIN) Lenses

• GRIN rod lenses for fiber coupling

Gradient Index Optics

GRIN lenses represent an interesting alternative

Fig. 1 GRIN lens Conventional spherical lens

The GRIN lenses are produced by silver ion

Phone: +49 (0) 3641 / 2276-0 w w w . g r i n t e c h.de email: info@grintech.de

Fig. 4. Image formation by a GRIN focusing lens

Phone: +49 (0) 3641 / 2276-0 w w w . g r i n t e c h.de email: info@grintech.de

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