About Me

Kai Engelhardt PhD
  • Since 2004 self-employed optical designer (OPTI-KEN)
  • Since Feb.2024 Principal Engineer, Lens Design (FabuLens GmbH)
  • 2021-Jan.2024 Principal Engineer, Lens Design (ams-OSRAM AG): design of wafer-level optics for imaging und projection
  • 2013-2021 Senior Optical Designer (Heptagon Oy / ams AG): design of wafer-level optics for imaging und projection
  • 2007-2013 Senior Optical Designer (Tessera/DOC): design of lenses for mobile phone cameras
  • 1997-2004 Senior R&D Engineer at CSEM SA, Zurich, section Photonics
  • 1989-1997 Scientific employee at PSI, Zurich, section image sensing
  • 1984 diploma & 1988 thesis at Chair of Optics at the FAU
  • Study of physics at FAU Erlangen-Nuremberg

During my work in projects at PSI and CSEM SA I gathered a broad practical experience in the areas:
Optical design, design of plastic optics (for injection molding), optimization of plastic optical components by 3-D simulation of the injection molding process (Moldflow MPI), colorimetry, optical 3-D sensing, CMOS chip design, optical position sensing (high-resolution absolute linear and rotary encoders), non-invasive optical glucose sensing.

At Tessera and Digital Optics Corporation (DOC) I designed lenses for mobile applications, especially EDoF lenses, distorted zoom lenses, and AF lenses with MEMs focusing.

At Heptagon / ams / ams OSRAM I mainly did designs of imaging and projection lenses for mass-production in wafer-level technique targeting mobile applications.

Memberships: OPTICA, IEEE