Process for manufacturing cylindrical microlenses
US5867327A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 23, 1997 |
| Grant date | Feb 2, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 23, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B3/06
- WIPO fieldMachine tools
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Method for manufacturing cylindrical microlenses having exceptional optical properties, and the lenses manufactured according to the process. According to the present invention, a method is provided for fabricating cylindrical microlenses, the method comprising the steps of forming a glass preform by means of grinding at least one face thereof in the direction transverse to longitudinal axis of the lens, the preform having the shape of a cylindrical lens, and drawing the glass preform to reduce its cross-sectional dimensions while retaining its cross-sectional shape, thereby providing a cylindrical microlens with a high numerical aperture or other desirable characteristics. The drawing step may be facilitated by means of the application of heat to the preform. Further, the preform may be roughly formed to a shape intermediate to its finished form by casting, sintering, extruding, or other glass forming methodology.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.