Extreme light control. Industrial-grade innovation
CSEM specializes in the development and industrialization of advanced micro- and nano-optical components and subsystems, tailored to specific applications. Our expertise is built on over 40 years of delivering cutting-edge micro- and nanofabrication solutions.
These components are integrated across high-tech sectors: automotive, consumer electronics, life sciences, aerospace, communications, document security, brand protection, watchmaking, and more.
We cover the full innovation chain, adhering to ISO 9001 standards. Whether you need a standalone service or end-to-end support, we adapt to your goals—from prototyping to pre-production.
We use multiphysics simulation platforms to design and optimize optical structures. Capabilities include:
Our cleanroom infrastructure supports full fabrication from master origination to pilot-scale replication:
Origination – we create high-precision master structures that define the optical function of the final component, using:
These enable precise fabrication of microlens arrays, free-form optics, and diffractive structures. Masters are replicated via wafer-scale nanoimprint lithography or UV molding.
Replication and pilot production – we fabricate on up to 8-inch wafers, using:
Larger surfaces are processed on our roll-to-plate nanoimprint device dedicated to pilot production..
We manufacture tooling for industrial volumes:
We also offer process consulting for scaling up from pilot to volume manufacturing.
We work with a wide range of optical-grade materials to support the design, origination, and replication of micro- and nano-optical components. We use materials tailored for optical transparency, thermal/mechanical stability, and wafer-level compatibility.
Materials and substrates portfolio
Optical structures
Our metrology services ensure that micro- and nano-optical components meet the highest standards of precision, reproducibility, and optical performance. These services are critical to both R&D validation and industrial quality control.
We offer nanometer-to-micrometer resolution metrology:
Metrology supports
Optical testing
Our micro- and nano-optical technologies power innovation across diverse sectors—from sensing and imaging to communications, security, and wearable displays. Below are examples of how our solutions translate into real-world applications, delivering performance, scalability, and integration at the wafer level.
Microlens arrays (MLAs) enhance sensor performance by maximizing photon capture per pixel. They also play a critical role on the emission side, where MLAs shape the output of sources such as VCSELs for efficient fiber coupling in transceiver modules, beam profiling in sensing applications, and structured illumination.
We provide end-to-end support, from design to fabrication, including specialized services like our microlens array foundry and technical lead participation in the Phabulous pilot line for free-form micro-optics.
Key benefits:
We realize passive fiber alignment, using micro-optical elements and integrated comb structures, fabricated through wafer-scale reflow and UV molding processes. Our approach combines light-redirection optics with self-alignment features to enable:
Key benefits:
We design and fabricate diffractive optical structures that couple light into integrated waveguides with exceptional efficiency and minimal footprint. These components are key enablers in biosensing, quantum optics, and miniature imaging systems such as AR/VR glasses and endoscopes.
Our approach combines nanoimprint lithography with thin-film deposition, enabling wafer-scale manufacturing of high-precision diffractive elements.
Applications include biosensing, quantum systems, or imaging (augmented reality, endoscopy). We realize our diffractive waveguides by using a combination of nanoimprint and thin film deposition.
Key benefits:
We develop optical security features to protect official documents, luxury products, and industrial components from counterfeiting. These elements are based on micro- and nano-optical elements, including diffractive elements, subwavelength structures, and waveguides, making them visually distinctive and extremely difficult to replicate.
Our solutions are applied to a variety of substrates, including films and foils for packaging and labeling, steel inserts for injection molding, and functional surfaces for direct product integration.
We leverage four decades of experience in the field to support our clients with technology watch and consulting.
Key benefits:
We engineer micro-optical elements that are monolithically integrated into photonic integrated circuits (PICs) to perform advanced beam manipulation and coupling functions directly on the chip. Our approach enables:
Key benefits:
Partner with us to co-develop your next breakthrough. Whether you're scaling up, solving a tough photonics challenge, or exploring disruptive applications, our experts are ready to support your innovation.
CSEM brings a get-things-done attitude with outstanding innovation. Our collaboration combining CSEM’s expertise in microlens arrays with IMT’s in microfluidic glass cells stands out - merging two complex technologies. CSEM’s initiative was key to success—and we look forward to more.
Das CSEM und Regent teilen die Begeisterung für innovative Beleuchtungslösungen und -produkte. Von Anfang an haben wir eine enge Beziehung aufgebaut, die auf gegenseitigem Vertrauen und Respekt beruht. Dies hat wiederum zu zahlreichen Folgekooperationen geführt. Erst jüngst haben wir ein Projekt abgeschlossen, das eng mit RUN+ zusammenhängt und uns hoffentlich bald die Möglichkeit gibt, ein weiteres innovatives Regent-Produkt auf den Markt zu bringen.
Explore our publications below. Some articles may require a subscription or institutional access.