Thermally Drawn Optical Filters: A New Realm of Possibilities for Ultra-Thin Reflective, Absorptive and Hybrid Filters

Interference optical filters are conventionally manufactured through vacuum coating processes with a host of benefits from precision to performance. A range of applications, nonetheless, requires a different solution either for miniaturization and form-factor constraints, or for size, volume and scaling economic challenges.

This presentation will walk the audience through the concept of thermal drawing as a platform for optical filter manufacturing. Banaei will highlight how this provides opportunities for ground-breaking innovations and industrial breakthroughs that sit beyond conventional coating processes, like how thermal drawing of optical fibers enabled the world we know today beyond conventional waveguides.

Attendees will gain insight into the range of possibilities from interference, absorptive and hybrid filter performances across multiple material platforms, as well as how this new class of optical filters can impact noise reduction, AOI compensation, size and shape flexibility, conformity to complex geometries, and compatibility with traditionally challenging substrates.

About the presenter
Eric (Hooman) Banaei, Ph.D., is the founder, CEO and CTO of Everix and the inventor of its core manufacturing processes for producing ultra-thin optical filters that are currently enhancing performance in a multitude of industries from wearable health monitoring devices and cancer detection surgical tools to robotic sensors and satellites. He holds 38 patents and has co-authored several scientific publications in high-profile journals including Nature. Banaei founded Everix in 2015 to commercialize this invention. Prior to that, he completed his doctorate at the College of Optics and Photonics (CREOL) at the University of Central Florida, following his M.Sc. and BSc. degrees in photonics and physics, respectively.