Patent · US Expired

Optical element for use in connection with radiation in the infrared portion of the electromagnetic spectrum and method of making same

US6927899B2 · kind B2 · utility

4Cited by
4References
23Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateDec 19, 2002
Grant dateAug 9, 2005
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 19, 2022

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG02B1/04
  • WIPO fieldOptics
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

An optical element, such as a lens, is described that provides good transmission of radiation in the infrared portion of the electromagnetic spectrum, that can be molded using an injection molding technique. The optical element comprises a moldable matrix in which is distributed a plurality of particles. The material comprising the matrix is selected so as to have a relatively low absorption of radiation in the infrared portion of the electromagnetic spectrum, and the material comprising the particles is selected to have a relatively high transmissivity of radiation in the infrared portion of the electromagnetic spectrum, and both materials are selected so as to have approximately the same index of refraction. The optical element comprising the matrix/particle composite is formed to provide surfaces having the contours that are required to provide the desired optical properties.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.