Self-centering arrangement of microstructured elements

US6255724A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• ALCATEL · FR

Inventors

• Anton Ambrosy · Tiefenbronn, DE
• Peter Kersten · Leonberg, DE
• Sigrun Schneider · Tamm, DE
• Antoni Picard · Eltville am Rhein, DE
• Jörg Reinhardt · Berka, DE
• Jens Schulze · Giswil, CH

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 29, 1999
• Grant date: Jul 3, 2001
• Expiry date: Jul 29, 2019

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G02B6/4249
• WIPO field: Optics
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

The invention relates to a self-centering arrangement of microstructured elements, particularly of microoptical components on a substrate serving as carrier. To provide microoptical components with projections that fit into corresponding recesses is known in the art. The invention provides a way to improve the mutual alignment of components (K1, K2) in that a deformation occurs when projections (Z1, Z2) are inserted into the recesses (A). This deformation may concern the projections or the recesses themselves or a molding material introduced between the projections and the recesses. The deformation improves the self-centering properties; in addition, manufacturing tolerances are more easily compensated. If the element cannot be provided with a suitable projection, an intermediate carrier is used, which is, for example, a plastic element produced by a LIGA process.