Method for producing optical components

US7373792B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Schott AG · DE

Inventors

• Andreas Menzel · Jena, DE
• Frank Elsmann
• Norman Schoenherr · Jena, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 14, 2002
• Grant date: May 20, 2008
• Expiry date: Sep 9, 2024

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02P40/57
• WIPO field: Other special machines
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

For producing large volume optical components of high optical quality from synthetic quartz glass blanks, the latter are heated in a component mold in a furnace with a protective gas atmosphere to a temperature 50° to 170° K above the softening point, this temperature being held for 20 to 90 minutes and, during this holding time, the quartz glass blank being pressed into the component mold. By these means, a gentle treatment of the quartz glass, a good yield, a decrease in the energy input and a complete filling up of the component mold are achieved.