Optical devices, in particular computational cameras, and methods for manufacturing the same

A method for manufacturing a multitude of optical devices, each comprising:

• a first member comprising a replicated optical element;
• a second member;
• and
• a third member referred to as spacer, which is arranged between said first and second members;
• each of said spacers comprising:
• one or more portions referred to as distancing portions in which the spacer has a vertical extension referred to as maximum vertical extension;
• at least two separate portions referred to as open portions in which no material of the spacer is present;
• and
• one or more portions referred to as structured portions in which material of the spacer is present and in which the spacer has a vertical extension smaller than said maximum vertical extension;
• the method comprising manufacturing using replication a wafer comprising a multitude of said first members and a multitude if said spacers, said manufacturing using replication comprising:
• g1) providing a replication tool having optical element replication sections and spacer replication sections;
• g2) providing a first liquid, viscous or plastically deformable material onto the optical element replication sections of the replication tool;
• g3) bringing a wafer referred to as base wafer into contact with the replication tool so that the first liquid, viscous or plastically deformable material is pressed between a first surface of the base wafer and the optical replication sections;
• g4) hardening the first liquid, viscous or plastically deformable material to form said optical elements on the first surface of the base wafer;
• g5) bringing a vacuum sealing chuck into contact with a second side of the base wafer while the base wafer remains in contact with the replication tool;
• g6) injecting a second liquid, viscous or plastically deformable material through an inlet of said vacuum sealing chuck so as to substantially fill said spacer replication sections;
• g7) hardening the second liquid, viscous or plastically deformable material.

A method for manufacturing a spacer wafer on an optics wafer, the optics wafer comprising a multitude of passive optical components, the method comprising:

• using a replication tool for manufacturing said spacer wafer;
• and
• using said replication tool for manufacturing said multitude of passive optical components,
• wherein the spacer wafer, as formed by the replication tool, is made of a non-transparent material, and wherein the passive optical components, as formed by the replication tool, are made of a transparent material.