Abstract: A process for the fabrication of polymer layers structured in three dimensions, such as of lenses, which are applied to the end of optical fibers or of laser light sources. Dry resist that is polymerizable through exposure is used as a base substance. The dry resist is applied to a substrate and is exposed with a dose apportionment that is predefined as a function of space and time in a structure region. The structure region is precalculated with submicrometer precision using image-processing methods and exhibits the form of the desired lens. The lens-shaped structure region that is polymerized through exposure is removed from the unexposed dry resist. The process of the present invention makes it possible to place lenses on an optical fiber or a laser with submicrometer precision.

Abstract: Three-dimensional, patterned surfaces, which were produced by dry-etching technology and have zones with different degrees of polymerization, are subjected to a time-limited dry-etching process in fluorine-containing plasma, In this context, an ablation process is used, which proceeds as a function of time, from incompletely polymerized material to completely polymerized material. Weakly polymerized regions, in particular those resulting from the proximity effect, may be removed.