Planar lenses for integrated optics
US7546009B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 25, 2005 |
| Grant date | Jun 9, 2009 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 25, 2025 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B2006/12102
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Planar lenses for integrated optics applications, in particular for use in optical touch screen sensors are disclosed. The disclosed planar lenses include a slab waveguide and an optical waveguide, preferably formed in unitary fashion, wherein the slab waveguide has a curved end face to focus light into or out of the optical waveguide, and wherein at least one additional lens is included within the slab waveguide. In one aspect of this disclosure, the additional lens is a diverging lens. In a second aspect the additional lens is a converging lens. The additional lens may match the acceptance angle of the optical waveguide to the curved end face of the slab waveguide. Alternatively, it may improve the tolerance of the planar lens to design or assembly errors and/or temperature variations. Preferably, the planar lenses are composed of a photo-patternable polymer, and the additional lenses are composed of air.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.