Replica casting technique for micro Fresnel lenses characterization

The available measuring techniques are not always suitable for the characterization of optical surfaces such as Fresnel lenses or polished specimens. A way to overcome these challenges is to reproduce the optical components surface using a polymer casting method and to measure the replicated surface.

The aim of this paper is to investigate the replica technique when applied to micro structured specimens such as moulds for injection moulding of Fresnel lenses. Stability studies, replication fidelity investigations and dimensional measurements were performed in order to validate the performance of the replication method.