Internal optical elements produced by irradiation-induced refractive index changes
US10105918B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 13, 2012 |
| Grant date | Oct 23, 2018 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 28, 2035 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/32
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Systems and methods are provided for forming an optical element within a transparent material using an irradiating optical beam, where the irradiating optical beam is employed to induce internal refractive index changes in the transparent substrate. Optical elements such as bulk and gradient index lenses may be formed in the transparent structure according various embodiments of the disclosure. An optical element may be formed by selecting a refractive index profile for the optical element, determining a corresponding suitable spatially dependent irradiation intensity profile for producing the selected refractive index profile, focusing an irradiating optical beam within the transparent structure, and controlling an intensity and position of the focused irradiating optical beam within the transparent structure according to the spatially dependent irradiation intensity profile.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.