How does a diffractive focusing lens work in terms of phase profile and diffraction orders?

A diffractive focusing lens implements a spiral or concentric phase profile, typically approximating a blazed grating that converts an incoming plane wave into a converging spherical wavefront. The microrelief structure is designed to direct as much power as possible into the desired diffraction order (usually the +1 order), while minimizing energy in other orders that would otherwise create stray foci or reduce overall efficiency.

What are the main types of diffractive focusing lenses and their typical use cases?

Common types include binary or multilevel DOEs, Fresnel zone plates, and hybrid refractive-diffractive lenses. Binary DOEs are easier to fabricate but have lower efficiency; multilevel or continuous-relief DOEs provide higher diffraction efficiency and are suited for high-power or high-throughput systems, while hybrid refractive-diffractive lenses are used to correct chromatic aberrations or compress optical path length in imaging and beam delivery systems.

Which key specifications should I evaluate when selecting a diffractive focusing lens for my application?

Critical parameters include design wavelength, focal length, numerical aperture (NA), clear aperture, and diffraction efficiency at the operating wavelength or band. You should also consider substrate material, AR coatings, damage threshold, surface relief depth and feature size, as well as the intended wavelength range (single-line laser vs broadband source) to ensure that efficiency and focal position meet your system requirements.

How should I compare performance between different diffractive focusing lenses from various suppliers?

Compare specified diffraction efficiency curves versus wavelength, the tolerance on focal length and NA, and the maximum allowable wavefront error or MTF where available. Also review fabrication tolerances (minimum feature size, depth accuracy), surface quality and flatness, coating performance, and any data on power handling or LIDT, as these factors directly impact system throughput, stability, and reliability.

What typical lead times, customization options, and pricing factors apply to diffractive focusing lenses?

Stock diffractive lenses at common wavelengths (e.g., 532 nm, 633 nm, 1064 nm) may ship in days, while custom designs with specific phase profiles, substrates, or coatings often require 4–12 weeks depending on feature complexity and volume. Pricing is driven by design complexity (number of phase levels, smallest feature size), wafer or substrate size, material choice (fused silica vs polymers vs IR crystals), coating requirements, and whether you need prototyping quantities or full-volume production.

How can I find and request quotes for diffractive focusing lenses on FindLight without creating an account?

On FindLight, navigate to Optics → Diffractive Optics and Gratings → Diffractive Focusing Lens, then use filters such as wavelength, focal length, substrate material, and aperture to narrow the catalog. You can open individual product pages to compare specs in the parameter tables and use the built-in contact or “Request Quote” form to send technical requirements directly to suppliers without registration; responses are handled via the email address you provide.

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Diffractive Focusing Lens

Diffractive Focusing Lens Solutions for Beam Control

DOE Handpiece for Laser Skin Treatment

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Sold by: CRYSTECH Inc. Ships from: China

Specifications
Design Wavelength:	1064 nm
Effective Focal Length (EFL):	Not Specified
Diameter:	Not Specified
Model:	HP1064-DOE-71N
Wavelength:	1064nm

Did You Know?

Diffractive focusing lenses, a subset of diffractive optical elements (DOEs), are revolutionizing the way we manipulate light in optical systems. Unlike traditional lenses that rely on refraction, these lenses utilize micro-structured surfaces to diffract and focus light with exceptional precision. One of the standout advantages of diffractive focusing lenses is their ability to achieve extremely high accuracy in focal lengths, thanks to fabrication techniques borrowed from the semiconductor industry, such as lithography and etching. This results in minimal production tolerances and consistent performance across various applications. Moreover, their compact and lightweight design makes them ideal for integration into space-constrained systems, including mobile devices and micro-optical setups. Their unique properties also allow for extended depth of focus, reducing the need for mechanical adjustments in imaging systems—a significant benefit for tracking moving objects or targets. From enhancing beam quality in laser systems to improving imaging in biomedical devices, diffractive focusing lenses are at the forefront of optical innovation, offering versatile solutions for modern technological challenges.

Frequently Asked Questions

A diffractive focusing lens (often a Fresnel zone plate or diffractive optical element, DOE) focuses light by spatially modulating the phase of the incident wavefront through microstructured surface relief patterns. Unlike a conventional refractive lens that relies on bulk material curvature and refractive index, a diffractive lens uses sub-wavelength or micron-scale features to impose a designed phase profile, enabling very thin, lightweight optics but with different chromatic behavior and diffraction efficiency considerations.

What is a Diffractive Focusing Lens?

A Diffractive Focusing Lens is a micro‑structured optical element that focuses light using diffraction instead of bulk refraction. Its surface relief pattern imposes a spatially varying phase delay, enabling precise wavefront shaping in a very thin substrate. Compared with conventional singlet lenses, a Diffractive Focusing Lens offers compact form factor, fine control of focal profile, and easy customization of intensity distributions.

Vendors on FindLight offer Diffractive Focusing Lens components fabricated on fused silica, BK7, or polymer substrates, with design wavelengths ranging from UV (e.g., 355 nm) to NIR and telecom bands (e.g., 1064 nm, 1550 nm). Typical designs include on‑axis focusing elements, multi‑focal lenses, and lenses that generate top‑hat or ring foci at a specified working distance.

Typical Specifications and Use Cases

When evaluating a Diffractive Focusing Lens, engineers typically review:

Design wavelength and bandwidth: single‑line operation (laser line optimized) versus broader spectral support.
Focal length / working distance: from sub‑millimeter to hundreds of millimeters, often specified at a particular wavelength and input beam diameter.
Clear aperture and outer diameter: footprint for integration into optical mounts or compact OEM modules.
Diffraction efficiency: first‑order efficiency at the design wavelength, often 80–95% depending on structure depth and AR coatings.
Numerical aperture and spot size: achievable focal spot diameter, depth of focus, and intensity distribution.
Damage threshold: CW and pulsed laser damage limits for solid‑state, fiber, or excimer sources.

Common applications for a Diffractive Focusing Lens include laser micro‑machining, medical and dermatology systems, confocal and multi‑photon microscopy pre‑focusing, fiber coupling, and beam shaping in compact analytical instruments.

Buyer Guidance on FindLight

Use this page to compare each Diffractive Focusing Lens by substrate material, design wavelength, focal length, and diffraction efficiency. Check mechanical drawings, mounting diameter, and coating options to ensure compatibility with your existing beam delivery or imaging train. For multi‑wavelength or broadband systems, verify performance curves across the relevant spectral range.

When a catalog Diffractive Focusing Lens does not fully match your requirements, many suppliers support custom phase profiles, multi‑zone focusing, or OEM packaging. You can request technical details or a custom quotation directly from vendors through FindLight; no registration is required to submit RFQs or technical inquiries.