Optical element having regions of different refractive indices for refraction of light transmitted therethrough and wherein the regions form a refractive lens and method of fabricating the same
US5808806A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 17, 1997 |
| Grant date | Sep 15, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 17, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T428/249978
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An optical device having a variable index of refraction across its surface includes a light transmissive material with a plurality of regions in the light transmissive material. Each region has an index of refraction which is different from the remainder of the material. The regions may be arranged in the surface of the material such that the density of the regions on the surface varies across the surface. Each region may be a bore, including a hole that extends through the light transmissive material. Variations in the density of the regions or bores as well as the depth and shape of the bores may be utilized to create variations of the refractive index within the light transmissive material. The regions form a refractive lens.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.