Ductile machining of single-crystal silicon for microlens arrays by ultraprecision diamond turning using a slow tool servo

Microlens arrays of single-crystal silicon are required increasingly in advanced IR optics. In this study, we attempted to machine spherical concave microlens arrays on a single-crystal silicon wafer by slow tool servo diamond turning. The form error, surface topography, material phase transformation, and cutting force characteristics were investigated experimentally. It was found that brittle fracture occurred preferentially at one side (the...