Replicating micro-optical structures using soft embossing technique

In this article we report the fabrication of large arrays of micro-optical gratings using soft embossing with elastic Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) molds and ultra-violet (UV) curable resins. Three different kinds of resins are used to replicate the master gratings in a process akin to a roll to roll process. The optical surface profiling measurements show that the dimensions of the replicated gratings closely approximate those of the master gratings. Optical diffractions of these gratings are also measured and analyzed.