Abstract: Provided is an apparatus for manufacturing an optical element, and a method of manufacturing an optical element, whereby variance of dropping positions of glass droplets can be suppressed even with a low-cost and simple configuration. The positions where the glass droplets are discharged from a discharged port 51c are controlled by having a predetermined force applied to the glass droplets from the wall surface of a passage 51b of a correcting member 51 in a non-contact manner, the glass droplets passing through the passage 51b. Therefore, variance of dropping positions of the glass droplets can be suppressed without surrounding the whole manufacturing apparatus. Consequently, a highly accurate optical element can be manufactured with the low-cost and simple configuration.

Abstract: To provide a lens unit producing method capable for positioning a lens array with high precision over a long period of time, a lens array, and a lens unit. When the first flat surfaces LA1f come in contact with the respective tapered surfaces HLD1, the glass lens array LA1 cannot rotate more than that for the holder HLD. Meanwhile, since the tapered surfaces HLD1 are regulated by the respective opposite first flat surface LA1f, the glass lens array LA1 cannot move more than that relatively to the holder HLD. That is, by holding the glass lens array LA1 with the holder HLD, the glass lens array LA1 can be positioned with high precision for the holder HLD.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a glass lens resistant to serious damage such as a crack during, for example, transport of a quadrangular glass lens such as a lens array formed by pressing molten glass or a compound lens obtained from the lens array. There are provided step portions 10a and 10c each having a reduced thickness on corners of a quadrangular contour, and hence, even when a corner portion is chipped or cracked during, for example, transport of a compound lens 10, it is possible to prevent the enlargement of the crack in the step portions 10a and 10c. Consequently, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of serious damage such as a crack which reaches the vicinity of optical surfaces 11d and 12d.

Abstract: A method for molding an optical element by pressing a glass material in a mold, the method having the steps of: heating to soften the glass material outside a cavity of the mold; heating the mold; and pressing the glass material with the mold after putting the glass material into the cavity of the mold, wherein when the glass material is put into the mold a temperature of the glass material is in a range of (Tg×1.60) to (Tg×1.85)° C., and a temperature at an optical transfer surface of the mold is in a range of (Tg+50) to (Tg?70)° C., where Tg is the glass-transition temperature of the material.

Abstract: A load conveyance device composed of: a load supporting device having a through hole passing in a gravity direction, and a fluid supplying device to supply a fluid into the through hole, wherein when load is dropped into the through hole from a top of the through hole, the load is supported under a floating condition by a force of the fluid in the through hole, and when the load is not supported by change of the force of the fluid, the load is dropped from a lower end of the through hole to an outside.

Abstract: An optical element for recording and/or reproducing information of an optical information recording medium, includes an optical element body having an incident surface and an opposite surface opposite to the incident surface, A light flux coming from a light source at an outside is introduced to be incident into an inside of the optical element body and is reflected several times in the inside of the optical element body so that the light flux is converged on the opposite surface; and the incident surface is a refractive surface, is convex toward the light source side and includes an optical axis.

Abstract: A method for molding an optical element by pressing a glass material in a mold, the method having the steps of: heating to soften the glass material outside a cavity of the mold; heating the mold; and pressing the glass material with the mold after putting the glass material into the cavity of the mold, wherein when the glass material is put into the mold a temperature of the glass material is in a range of (Tg×1.60) to (Tg×1.85)° C., and a temperature at an optical transfer surface of the mold is in a range of (Tg+50) to (Tg?70)° C., where Tg is the glass-transition temperature of the material.

Abstract: A load conveyance device composed of:

Abstract: A method of producing an optical element forming die to form an optical element by pressing a glass material softened with heat, including a first process of producing a primary processed product having a volume resistance value Z (0<Z≦1 (&OHgr;·cm) by sintering ceramic powders; and a second process of forming the optical element forming die by processing the primary processed product.

Abstract: An optical element for recording and/or reproducing information of an optical information recording medium, includes an optical element body having an incident surface and an opposite surface opposite to the incident surface, A light flux coming from a light source at an outside is introduced to be incident into an inside of the optical element body and is reflected several times in the inside of on the opposite surface; and the incident surface is a referactive surface is convex toward the light source side and the light source side