INGENERIC MLAs

Spherical and aspherical microlens arrays

INGENERIC Microlens Arrays

Spherical and aspherical microlens arrays focus or collimate light in two dimensions. Each lenslet processes a complete optical channel, producing a defined point focus or a collimated beam. This makes the arrays suitable for the parallel collimation of light sources, coupling into fibers or waveguides, structured illumination, and imaging onto sensor surfaces.

Spherical lenslets have a constant radius of curvature. They offer a straightforward technical solution for applications where residual spherical aberrations fall within permissible system limits. Aspherical lenslets intentionally deviate from the spherical shape. This allows for the reduction of aberrations, the optimization of focus profiles, and the realization of more compact optical systems.

Custom MLAs with flexible geometry

The lenslets can be arranged linearly, two-dimensionally, or hexagonally. Round and rectangular apertures allow for adaptation to the geometry of the light source, detector, or optical channel. High fill factors and small dead zones ensure that a large proportion of the array area can be utilized optically.

In addition, complex aspherical meniscus designs with convex and concave surfaces are possible. Individual lenslets in a multichannel array can have different radii, focal lengths or optical functions. For example, multiple imaging or spectral channels can be combined in a monolithic glass array.

Technical Highlights:

Two-dimensional collimation and focusing

Each lenslet generates a defined point focus or a collimated optical channel.

Efficient coupling of multiple channels

Precisely matched pitch and focal length values for alignment with fiber, waveguide, emitter, or sensor arrays.

High fill factors and channel densities

Small lenslet apertures, fine pitches, and minimized transition zones maximize the optically active area fraction, enabling a large number of channels within a compact footprint.

Large and flexibly scalable channel counts

Depending on the application, arrays can be implemented with a few lenslets or numerous individual lenses.

Reduced aberrations through aspheres

Aspheric profiles improve focus quality and imaging performance compared to purely spherical surfaces.

Flexible lenslet arrangements

Linear, two-dimensional and hexagonal layouts to adapt to different channel, emitter and sensor architectures.

Individual lenslets within an array

Varying radii, focal lengths, geometries, and surface profiles for different optical functions within a single monolithic component.

Complex convex-concave designs

Meniscus and Q-type aspheres expand design freedom for high-performance, compact optical systems.

Multispectral design

Individual lenslets can be tuned to different wavelength ranges, spectral channels, and sensor areas.

Uniform illumination

Minimal focal length deviations and precisely matched lenslets ensure uniform light distribution and reproducible signal and imaging quality.

Präzise Systemintegration

Precise channel positions facilitate reliable alignment with emitters, fibers, waveguides, detectors, or sensors.

Compact optical designs

The combination of different optical functions enables reduced installation space and high optical performance.

Focus on our spherical and aspherical MLAs

Choose from our standard products or contact us for a customized solution.

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Lens type	Size [mm]	QTY of lenslets	Arrangement	EFL [mm]	PE [mm]	D [mrad]	Material
MLA-SPH-PL-CX-0.70	5.0 x 4.0 x 0.577	16	1x16	0.70	0.25	0.25	K-VC89
MLA-ASPH-PL-CX-3.25	18.0 x 16.0 x 1.055	100	10 x 10	3.25	1.5 (PEx, PEy)	1.5	K-VC89
MLA-SPH-PL-CX-3.2	10.0 x 10.0	40	linear	3.2	1.2	1.2	K-VC89
MLA-ASPH-PL-CX-0.72	15.0 x 12.0	20	linear	0.72	3.2	1.3	K-VC89
MLA-ASPH-PL-CX-2.28	8.0 x 6.0	9	linear	2.28	1.1 … 1.3	1.0	L-BSL7

Material: Optical glass (material with a high refractive index)
Max. dimensions: approx. 45.0 x 45.0 mm
EFL: 0.25 … 5.0 mm
Lens diameter: 0.125 … 3.0 mm
Lens aperture: round, rectangular
Arrangement: linear, hexagonal
Number of lenses per array: 5 … 2000
Pitch: 0.125 … 4.0 mm
Pitch accuracy: < 2 µm over 25 mm
EFL tolerance:<1%*
Geometric accuracy: < 250 nm
Dead zones: <10 µm
Center thickness accuracy: < 20 µm

*) High relative radius tolerance (< 0.2%)

Precision manufacturing to industrial standards:

Isothermal Precision Glass Molding

Our manufacturing process offers numerous advantages:

Wafer-scale optics manufacturing for high volumes and cost-efficiency

Extremely tight manufacturing tolerances for precise optical properties

Precision molding for high geometric accuracy and uniformity

In-mold compression molding for high reproducibility of the optical shape

In-house metrology for inspecting optical and geometric properties

Automated assembly processes for reproducible optical alignment

Thermally stable optical glasses with low absorption

Great geometric freedom for custom designs

About our process chain

The result is micro-optics and lens arrays that offer series-production quality, stability, and excellent reproducibility.

Additional Services:

Custom lenslet geometries

Design and optimization of spherical, aspheric, and convex-concave surfaces, including Q-type aspheres and meniscus designs.

Individual channel and array parameters

Adaptation of focal length, pitch, radii, and surface profiles to emitter, fiber, waveguide, or sensor arrays. Different optical functions can be combined within a single array.

Multispectral design and coating

Matching individual lenslets, optical functions, and anti-reflective coatings to different wavelength ranges and spectral channels to optimize transmission and light output.

Alignment and mounting features

Integration of fiducial markings, stand-offs, markings, and mechanical reference geometries.

Development services

Support from our development engineers – from the initial feasibility assessment and prototypes through to production-ready manufacturing.

Quality

For spherical and aspherical arrays, the uniformity of pitch, radius, focal length, and shape is a decisive factor in optical performance. INGENERIC verifies these and other specification-relevant parameters using appropriate metrology and documents compliance with the agreed requirements.

Reproducible manufacturing supports consistent channel-to-channel performance, stable focal positions, and uniform imaging characteristics. Depending on the design, surface quality, center thickness, and transition zones can also be included in quality assurance.

Upon request, an application-specific test setup can be developed to evaluate collimation, imaging, or coupling functions under conditions that closely replicate the intended operational environment. This minimizes discrepancies between internal characterization and system-level measurements.

Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs

Where are INGENERIC products manufactured?

Our products are manufactured in Germany at our company headquarters. Production is therefore subject to strict German and European quality and regulatory standards, ensuring high process reliability and consistent product quality. If required (e.g., due to customer-specific supply chain requirements), certain processes can be outsourced through our extensive partner network.

How does a custom development project proceed?

The development process typically begins with the signing of a confidentiality or non-disclosure agreement. This is followed by technical coordination between the customer and the development team. After the design phase, tooling is produced and initial prototypes are manufactured. Once validation is successfully completed, serial production can commence.

What are NRE costs?

NRE costs—or non-recurring engineering costs, also known as initial costs—are one-time expenses for the development and manufacture of tooling required to produce custom optical components. At INGENERIC, the cost of refurbishing tooling due to wear is included in the product cost calculation.

Is volume production possible?

INGENERIC covers the entire process chain in-house - from optical design and tool manufacturing to glass molding, backend processes, and quality assurance.

This enables efficient production of both prototypes and high-volume series with consistent quality.

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INGENERIC – Your Partner for Precision Optical Solutions

Do you have suggestions, specific requirements, or a concrete enquiry? We can help you select the right micro-optics for your application—from standard components to customised solutions. Please feel free to contact us for personal advice or an individual quotation.

We look forward to hearing from you!