This section provides an overview for microlens arrays as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 13 microlens array manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked microlens array companies as of November, 2024: 1.Syntec Optics / Wordingham Technologies, 2.NIL TECHNOLOGY, 3.SUMITA.
Table of Contents
A microlens array is an optical lens array consisting of multiple micron-sized lenses.
Since the size of a lens is quite small (a few microns), the focal length of the lens is a few millimeters, which is a very short distance. Recently, demand for microlens arrays has been rapidly increasing, partly due to the trend toward thinner and smaller electronic devices such as smartphones and digital cameras.
Microlens arrays are mainly used in the field of optics, such as optical communications, displays, observatory telescopes, and lighting.
The main roles of microlens arrays are light focusing and diffusion. One of the devices used for light collection is a digital camera. By further focusing the light collected by the camera's lens, more accurate optical information can be delivered to the image sensor.
Conversely, the ability to efficiently diffuse minute amounts of light makes it ideal for use in medical equipment, aircraft, and other applications.
Microlens arrays can deliver aggregated optical information to the next medium by focusing light diffused by an array of microlenses. As mentioned earlier, this is a function often used in conjunction with image sensors in cameras.
A similar function is also applied to optical fiber. The cross-sectional structure of an optical fiber consists of a protective layer on the outside that protects the line and a thin tube of about 50 µm called a "core" in the center. This is where the light passes through, and to transmit optical information, the light emitted from the light source must accurately enter the core. Therefore, microlens arrays are used to collect light and guide it toward the core, enabling efficient and accurate transmission of optical information.
The ability of microlens arrays to collect and diffuse light depends on the shape, size, number, and position of each lens. It is important to select the appropriate one in consideration of the intended use and application.
*Including some distributors, etc.
Sort by Features
Sort by Area
ORAFOL Fresnel Optics GmbH is based in Apolda, Thuringia, Germany, and is a manufacturer of nano and micro polymer-fabricated optical components that was established in 1989 as a subsidiary of ORAFOL Europe GmbH. The company primarily produces optical goods such as Fresnel cylindrical lenses, Fresnel beam splitters, and corner cube retro-reflectors. It also offers custom design, engineering, and fabrication services for unique customer projects. The company chiefly serves its customers in Europe’s display, lighting, and solar industries.
Syntec Optics / Wordingham Technologies, founded in 1981 and headquartered in Rochester, New York, is a manufacturer of custom optics and photonics. The company specializes in designing and producing custom optical and opto-mechanical products for industries such as medical, defense, industrial, and imaging. Its main products include camera modules, infrared optics, microlens arrays, and filters. These components find applications in medical devices, imaging systems, and aerospace technologies. The company’s manufacturing capabilities include tool design, design for manufacturing, and moldflow analysis.
Nippon Electric Glass Co., Ltd. (NEG) is a glass technology products manufacturer originally founded in 1949 and headquartered in Otsu, Shiga. The company specializes in glass for tech and computing applications, particularly for flat-panel displays (FPDs). Their product portfolio includes substrates for FPDs and liquid crystal displays (LCDs), organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) and touch panels for smart devices. Other products include high modulus glass fiber, heat-resistant glass and chemically strengthened glass. NEG primarily serves clients in the digital display, automotive, and information technology markets.
SUMITA New Glass & Fiber Optics, established in 1953, is a manufacturer and supplier headquartered in Saitama, Japan, specializing in the production and distribution of light and optical glass products. The company's range of products includes optical glass materials, aspherical/specialty lenses, optical devices, small lens units, and fiber optic components. These products find applications in industrial equipment, automobiles, medical devices, energy, and measurement devices. They hold certifications such as ISO9001:2015, ISO 13485:2016, and ISO14001:2015.
Nalux Co., Ltd., founded in 1930 with headquarters in Osaka, Japan, is a manufacturer of optical lenses and optical elements. The company's product line includes microlens arrays, glass optical elements, diffractive optical elements, infrared optical elements, and freeform surface optical elements. These products are used in wearable devices, cellular phone cameras, laser beam printers, automotive lighting, and autonomous driving systems, among many others. The company serves various industries, including automotive, medical, healthcare, communications, and industrial equipment.
Ricoh Company, Ltd., established in 1936 and headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is a manufacturer of office equipment and solutions. The company's core specialization lies in office imaging equipment, production print solutions, document management systems, and IT services. Its diverse product range includes printers, copiers, projectors, interactive whiteboards, and digital cameras. The company provides its comprehensive array of products and services in nearly 200 countries, serving the needs of businesses and professionals worldwide.
Chineselens Optical Components Manufacturing is a manufacturer of custom precision optical components based in China. The company's capabilities include but are not limited to spherical lenses, prisms, beam splitters, and custom coatings. They offer a wide range of material processing capabilities and have passed ISO 9001:2015 certification. They also provide custom and pre-engineered laser collimating lenses for R&D and engineering development, and relative applications with different diameters, focal lengths, coatings, and mounting sizes. Their services include design, fabrication, coating, and assembly of optical components, and supplying components to over 30 countries from their site in Jiangsu.
Shanghai Optics, established in China, is a custom manufacturer of optical components and a custom designer and engineering provider of optical components, lenses, and assemblies. The company produces its own range of products that include stock microscope objectives, fixed focal length lenses, stock IR lenses, and megapixel lenses used in applications such as scientific and laboratory equipment, smartphones, cameras, and other requirements from OEM customers around the world. The company's services include full production at high and lower volumes, prototyping, free quotes, and custom product design consultations.
ISUZU GLASS LTD. founded in 1905 and headquartered in Izumisano, Osaka, is an ISO 14001 certified manufacturer and supplier of optical colored glass. The company's product range includes Opal diffusing glass, UV transmitting filters, UV transmitting and visible absorbing filters, and Heat absorbing filters. These products are commonly used in applications that require specific light filtering and diffusion capabilities. They serve industries such as Medical, Sensor, UV LED, Laser, 3D Printer, and Projector sectors. Beyond its core manufacturing, the company offers design, customization, and after-sales support for its range of optical products.
Ranking as of November 2024
Derivation MethodRank | Company | Click Share |
---|---|---|
1 | Syntec Optics / Wordingham Technologies |
16.8%
|
2 | NIL TECHNOLOGY |
12.0%
|
3 | SUMITA |
10.4%
|
4 | ORAFOL Fresnel Optics GmbH |
9.6%
|
5 | INGENERIC |
8.8%
|
6 | Holographix LLC |
8.0%
|
7 | Chineselens |
7.2%
|
8 | Nippon Electric Glass Co., Ltd. |
6.4%
|
9 | temicon GmbH |
5.2%
|
10 | Nalux Co., Ltd. |
5.2%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the microlens array page as of November 2024. Click share is defined as the total number of clicks for all companies during the period divided by the number of clicks for each company.Number of Employees
Newly Established Company
Company with a History
*Including some distributors, etc.
*Including some distributors, etc.
Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
---|---|---|
Japan | 5 | 41.7% |
Germany | 3 | 25.0% |
United States of America | 2 | 16.7% |
China | 1 | 8.3% |
Denmark | 1 | 8.3% |
5 products are listed.
NIHON DEMPA KOGYO CO., LTD.
40+ people viewing
■ Applications ·Digital camera ・ Broadcast / Digital camera for movies ・ Industrial camera ・ For surveillance cameras, etc. ■ Features ・ It is...
NIHON DEMPA KOGYO CO., LTD.
30+ people viewing
Last viewed: 9 hours ago
It can be used as an optical filter to adjust the color temperature and concentration. Various optical characteristics are realized by applying var...
Kita Nippon Electric Wire Co., Ltd.
20+ people viewing
■ Overview ・ Realization of the lens is assembled by assembling the refractive index distribution type lens (GI lens) on a glass substrate with V ...