Abstract: An integrated optical assembly comprises an optics mount, an optical element comprising material that is optically transparent, the optical element molded in the optics mount, and an optical aperture wherein the optical aperture is secured in fixed position with respect to the optics mount and the transparent optical element.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a shaped optical element for refracting infrared light. The method can include providing a chalcogenide glass mass within a precision mold, the chalcogenide glass mass having a starting volume that is equal to or less than about 105% of the volume of the shaped optical element, precision molding the chalcogenide glass mass by providing heat and pressure to form the chalcogenide glass mass into a near-net shaped optical element, removing the near-net shaped optical element from the precision mold, and refining the near-net shaped optical element to generate the shaped optical element, the outside diameter of the near-net shaped optical element being less than or equal to 25 ?m larger than an outside diameter of the shaped optical element. The near-net shaped optical element can have an outside diameter less than 20 ?m greater than the outside diameter of the shaped optical element.

Abstract: An integrated optical assembly comprises an optics mount, an optical element comprising material that is optically transparent, the optical element molded in the optics mount, and an optical aperture wherein the optical aperture is secured in fixed position with respect to the optics mount and the transparent optical element.

Abstract: Methods and mold designs provide for fiducials in molding glass optical elements, such as glass lenses. A mold for use in the fabrication of a lens can include a first part of the mold including a first molding surface corresponding to a first surface of said lens, and a second part of the mold including a second molding surface corresponding to a second surface of said lens, the first and second part of the mold configured to apply pressure to a moldable material in at least one cavity therebetween, at least one marking structure located on at least one of the first part of the mold, the second part of the mold, or both, the at least one marking structure configured to form at least one fiducial in the molded structure. Such techniques are applicable to precision glass molding.

Abstract: An integrated optical assembly comprises an optics mount, an optical element comprising material that is optically transparent, the optical element molded in the optics mount, and an optical aperture wherein the optical aperture is secured in fixed position with respect to the optics mount and the transparent optical element.