FEMTOPRINT manufactures optical components in glass at micro-scale,  from micro-optics (features of tens to hundreds of microns) to miniaturized optical systems of a few millimetres. Using maskless femtosecond-laser machining, we produce true 3D freeform surfaces and integrate several optical and non-optical functions into a single monolithic glass part, going beyond the 2.5D limits of standard lithography.

For over a decade we have helped engineers and system designers move advanced optical components from concept to volume, with optical surface finish, micron-scale accuracy and no upfront tooling costs.

What we deliver

• Miniaturised optical components and systems built as fully 3D freeform elements in glass
• Micro-optical components: micro-lenses, micro-mirrors and micro-lens arrays (MLAs)
• Design-for-manufacturing (DFM) combining optical simulation with process know-how
• Metallization and optical coatings, and masters/tools for imprint and injection moulding

What sets us apart

• True 3D shaping beyond the 2.5D limits of standard lithography
• Wafer-scale production of glass microdevices with optical surface finish and micron-scale accuracy
• Glass-only micro-machining, thermal stability, optical grade, broad application qualification vs polymers
• Rapid prototyping in weeks, no upfront tooling costs, seamless scale-up to high volume

Explore our optics capabilities

• Miniaturized Optics — 3D design freedom for millimetre-scale optical systems.
• Micro-Optics — freeform microlenses, micro-lens arrays and elements integrated with waveguides and fibre connectivity.
• Design for Manufacturing (DFM) — making a disruptive optical design manufacturable and scalable from the start.
• Metallization & Optical Coating — coatings that enhance optical performance and ease system integration.
• Optics FAQ — common questions on glass optics fabrication, materials and tolerances.

Talk to our experts about your optics project. 

What optical components can FEMTOPRINT make in glass?

Freeform micro-optics — microlenses, micro-mirrors and micro-lens arrays — plus miniaturised optical systems up to a few millimetres, all in glass.

How is laser glass optics different from lithography?

Femtosecond-laser machining is maskless and three-dimensional, so it produces true freeform surfaces and monolithic integration of multiple functions — beyond the 2.5D limits of standard lithography.

Can you scale from prototype to volume?

Yes. Rapid prototyping with no upfront tooling costs, scaling to wafer-level production for low to high volumes.

Which materials do you use?

Optical-grade glass, fused silica and borosilicate, chosen for thermal stability and broad qualification across applications.

Do you provide coatings and replication masters?

Yes. Metallization and optical coatings, and masters and tools for imprint and injection moulding

Tackling Today’s Challenges in Advanced Optics

The industry faces growing demands for precision, scalability, and cost-effectiveness.

We serve clients who need miniaturized optical components and systems (typically a few millimeters) or micro-optical devices (ranging from tens to hundreds of microns). Key challenges include:

- Adoption of a new manufacturing technology: Laser microfabrication represents a new solution for the manufacturing of optical components. We support clients in assessing the manufacturability of their advanced optical devices with our maskless laser processing , which, differently from standard technologies, allows for both fully free-form surfaces and monolithic integration of several functionalities.

- Rapid development cycles: Nowadays staying competitive means being able to rapidly test innovative solutions without sacrificing performance and to implement them into new products without compromising on reliability. We use our fast-prototyping platform to support customers in accelerating their development cycles for the effective adoption of new disruptive optical components.

- Production scalability: Both new manufacturing technologies and innovative miniaturized/micro-optical devices can be adopted only when production can be rapidly and effectively scaled up. Our wafer-level manufacturing platform guarantees clients seamless scalability from prototyping to pilot production up to high-volume manufacturing.

Common Pain to Solve in the Optics Market?

Our Clients needs:

• advanced manufacturing to enable disruptive optics solutions.
• low system complexity to reduce the costs for assembly and packaging.
• rapid prototyping to accelerate product development cycles.
• diversified supply chains to access multiple vendors and avoid supply disruption.
• production scale up to seamlessly enable industrial-level glass microfabrication.

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