Abstract: A camera lens module includes an image sensor and a lens assembly. The image sensor includes a photosensitive chip defining a photosensitive path, wherein the lens assembly is coupled to the image sensor along the photosensitive path of the photosensitive chip. The lens assembly includes at least one optical lens module and an aperture member coupled at the optical lens module, wherein the optical lens module includes a lens barrel and at least an optical lens supported within the lens barrel. A relative position of the lens assembly with respect to the image sensor is adjustable for calibration and the relative position of the optical lens module is permanently fixed after calibration.

Abstract: Techniques disclosed herein relate to molding inserts with improved cooling performance. A mold insert includes a body and a plurality of heat sink elements coupled to the body. The body includes an area with a recessed surface that has different depths in a plurality of different regions. The plurality of heat sink elements is configured to provide different thermal resistances in the plurality of different regions of the mold insert, where a thermal resistance of the mold insert in a region with a higher recessed surface depth is lower than a thermal resistance of the mold insert in a region with a lower recessed surface depth. In some embodiments, the plurality of heat sink elements form cooling channels that are configured to conduct a cooling fluid from regions of the mold insert with higher recessed surface depths to regions of the mold insert with lower recessed surface depths.

Abstract: To produce a meniscus lens from synthetic quartz glass for use in a microlithography apparatus, which lens has a first optical surface (7) and a second optical surface (8) with the same direction of curvature as the first optical surface (7), SiO2 particles are formed by oxidation or flame hydrolysis of a silicon-containing starting compound and deposited layer by layer on a substrate to form a cylindrical SiO2 blank which contains layers with a surface normal extending in the direction of growth. To allow such layers, which have however the least possible adverse effect on optical or mechanical properties, it is proposed according to the invention that the blank is plastically worked in a hot forming process under the effect of a deforming force to form a preform (6), which has at least the first curved surface (7) and in which the layers are curved in the direction of curvature, and that the meniscus lens is obtained from the preform.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an optical glass element, comprising: annealing a press-molded product obtained by press molding into a lens shape a glass material comprised of a core portion comprised of an optical glass (first glass) with a transition temperature of 550° C. or higher and a covering portion comprised of a second glass covering the surface of said core portion; and then removing the covering layer from the surface of the press-molded product to obtain an optical glass element. To provide a method for manufacturing high-optical-performance mold-pressed lenses in which the defective external appearance of optical elements comprised of high-temperature glass materials with a Tg of 550° C. or higher is prevented.

Abstract: Certain example embodiments of this invention relate to patterned glass that can be used as a cylindrical lens array in a concentrated photovoltaic application, and/or methods of making the same. In certain example embodiments, the lens arrays may be used in combination with strip solar cells and/or single-axis tracking systems. That is, in certain example embodiments, lenses in the lens array may be arranged so as to concentrate incident light onto respective strip solar cells, and the entire assembly may be connected to a single-axis tracking system that is programmed to follow the East-West movement of the sun. A low-iron glass may be used in connection with certain example embodiments. Such techniques may advantageously help to reduce cost per watt related, in part, to the potentially reduced amount of semiconductor material to be used for such example embodiments.

Abstract: A method of replicating at least one optical element is provided, the method including the steps of: providing a substrate with two large sides and at least one pre-defined replication site defined by a through hole or blind holes at corresponding locations on both large sides of the substrate; and adding, by replication, a replicated structure to the substrate, the replicated structure adhering to the substrate and having, at the replication site, replication material in the through hole or in the two blind holes, respectively and a first replicated surface and a second replicated surface, the first and second replication surfaces facing towards opposite sides.

Abstract: The present invention provides a synthetic silica glass for an optical member in which not only a fast axis direction in an optical axis direction is controlled, and a birefringence in an off-axis direction is reduced, but a magnitude of a birefringence in the optical axis direction is controlled to an arbitrary value, such that an average value of a value BR cos2?xy defined from a birefringence BR and a fast axis direction ?xy as measured from a parallel direction to the principal optical axis direction is defined as an average birefringence AveBR cos2?xy, and when a maximum value of a birefringence measured from a vertical direction to the principal optical axis direction of the optical member is defined as a maximum birefringence BRmax in an off-axis direction, the following expression (1-1) and expression (2-1) are established: ?1.0?AveBR cos2?xy<0.0??(1-1) 0.0?BRmax?1.0??(2-1).

Abstract: This invention pertains to a process of bonding a magnesium aluminate spinel article or articles and a germanate glass article or articles including the step of heating them together above the softening temperature of the glass.

Abstract: An optical subassembly manufacturing method includes forming connecting electrodes and a piece of high-melting-point glass on a wiring substrate; positioning on and connecting to the connecting electrodes, an optoelectronic converting element; disposing on the piece of high-melting-point glass, a piece of low-melting-point glass having a melting point lower than the piece of high-melting-point glass; and fixing to the piece of low-melting-point glass, a protruding portion of a lens member further having a lens portion. The protruding portion has a shape matching that of the piece of high-melting-point glass, and relative positions of the protruding portion and the optical axis of the lens portion are determined to correspond to relative positions of the connecting electrodes and the piece of high-melting-point glass. The fixing includes fixing the protruding portion of the lens member to the piece of high-melting-point glass via surface tension generated by melting the piece of low-melting-point glass.

Abstract: An image sensor according to embodiments may include a semiconductor substrate, photodiodes disposed over the semiconductor substrate, a dielectric layer formed over the photodiodes, a color filter layer formed over the dielectric layer, a planarization layer formed over the color filter layer, a phase change material formed over the planarization layer, and a plurality of microlenses formed over the planarization layer, wherein the phase change material is positioned in the microlens. Further, a method for manufacturing an image sensor according to embodiments may include forming a dielectric layer over a semiconductor substrate with a plurality of photodiodes, sequentially forming a color filter layer and a planarization layer over the dielectric layer, forming a phase change material over the planarization layer, forming a patterned phase change material by partially etching the phase change material, and forming microlenses over the planarization layer and the phase change material.

Abstract: Optical qualities of a production lot of base material used in the fabrication of semi-finished lenses may be accurately determined by employing chipper plate samples produced from the base material in accordance with aspects of the present invention. In various implementations of the present invention, the chipper plates samples may be fabricated by subjecting base material to an extended cycle time and temperature profile using a mold having cavities of different thicknesses. The resulting chipper plates provide an improved indication of the color of semi-finished lenses molded from the production lot as well as an improved indication of resin stabilizer defects that may be utilized during a pelletizing process to control and enhance the quality of a production lot. Furthermore, the chipper plates may be provided by suppliers as samples of a production lot to enable customers to base purchasing decisions on a reliable and accurate measure of optical properties.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical hybrid lens. According to the invention, the lens consists of a substrate (1) that consists of a ceramic having a predetermined shape and at least another material (2), which covers a surface of the substrate (1) at least in certain sections in order to form a lens surface. Use of an optical ceramic as a material enables an additional degree of freedom for adjusting the imaging properties of the hybrid lens. The optical ceramic may have a high refractive index and a low dispersion. The other material can be a material that can be deformed or recast at temperatures that are low in comparison to those of the optical ceramic. In particular the other material can be a low-TG glass or a polymer. The other material is directly applied onto the substrate without a further surface finishing being necessarily required. Other aspects of the invention relate to an optical lens group, an optical image acquisition device, and a process for manufacturing a hybrid lens.

Abstract: A system and method for manufacturing an ophthalmic lens is described. In some examples, the system applies a back surface to a lens blank that includes an aspherical curve having two radii of curvature. In some examples, a back surface of a peripheral portion of the lens follows the curvature of a front surface of the lens in order to establish a rounded, non-sharp edge to a lens blank used during the manufacturing process of a prescription eyeglass lens.

Abstract: A method for producing a shaped body (10) made of glass or glass ceramics comprises the steps of: (a) placing at least two glass blanks (12a, 12b) side by side on a shaped surface (14) of a temperature-resistant sagging mold (13); (b) sagging the glass blanks (12a, 12b) onto the shaped surface (14) by heating the sagging mold (13) and the glass blanks (12a, 12b); (c) attaching the sagged glass blanks (10a, 10b) to each other in order to form the shaped body (10); and (d) lifting the shaped body (10) from the sagging mold (13). A shaped body (10) comprises at least two glass blanks (10a, 10b) attached side by side and formed by sagging.

Abstract: A rectangular stacked lens module and a manufacturing method thereof are disclosed. The rectangular stacked lens module is produced by cutting straight lines through a stacked lens module array. Firstly, it produces at least two lens arrays. Each lens array includes a plurality of optical lenses by multi-cavity glass molding and at least one alignment member disposed on the non-optical area of the lens array. Then at least the two lens arrays are assembled by the alignment members and are stacked with other optical elements so as to form a stacked lens module array. The optical axis of each optical lens is aligned easily with each other so as to meet requirements for optical precision. Moreover, the manufacturing processes are simplified and the purposes of mass-production and low cost are achieved.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for producing single microlenses or an arrays of microlenses composed of a glass-type material, in which method a first substrate is provided with a surface containing impressions over which a second substrate composed of a glass-type material is placed at least partially overlapping it and is joined therewith under vacuum conditions. The substrate composite is tempered in such a manner that the second substrate softens and flows into the impressions of the first substrate, thereby structuring the side of the second substrate facing away from the first substrate in order to form at least one microlens surface.

Abstract: The invention generally concerns optical systems and, in particular, a method and device for joining at least one first and one second optical element to an optical composite element, as well as an optical composite element itself. In order to produce optical systems having at least two optical elements more easily and more economically, the invention provides a method for joining at least one first and one second optical element, in which the first optical element contains a first glass or a crystalline material, the second optical element contains a second glass, and the first glass or the crystalline material has a transformation temperature Tg1 or a melting temperature that differs from the transformation temperature Tg2 of the second glass, and at least the glass of the second optical element is heated and brought into contact with the glass or with the crystalline material of the first optical element.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for producing single microlenses or an arrays of microlenses composed of a glass-type material, in which method a first substrate is provided with a surface containing impressions over which a second substrate composed of a glass-type material is placed at least partially overlapping it and is joined therewith under vacuum conditions. The substrate composite is tempered in such a manner that the second substrate softens and flows into the impressions of the first substrate, thereby structuring the side of the second substrate facing away from the first substrate in order to form at least one microlens surface.

Abstract: An optical subassembly manufacturing method includes forming connecting electrodes and a piece of high-melting-point glass on a wiring substrate; positioning on and connecting to the connecting electrodes, an optoelectronic converting element; disposing on the piece of high-melting-point glass, a piece of low-melting-point glass having a melting point lower than the piece of high-melting-point glass; and fixing to the piece of low-melting-point glass, a protruding portion of a lens member further having a lens portion. The protruding portion has a shape matching that of the piece of high-melting-point glass, and relative positions of the protruding portion and the optical axis of the lens portion are determined to correspond to relative positions of the connecting electrodes and the piece of high-melting-point glass. The fixing includes fixing the protruding portion of the lens member to the piece of high-melting-point glass via surface tension generated by melting the piece of low-melting-point glass.

Abstract: A cylindrical holder material having a thin deformed portion is located in a press forming die. An optical element material is installed inside the holder material and the holder material and the optical element material are heated to their respective softening temperatures, thereby forming a cylindrical holder from the holder material and an optical element from the optical element material by press forming the holder material and the optical element material that have been heated to their respective softening temperatures. Thus, the optical element is integrated inside the holder and the deformed portion of the holder is deformed towards the outside thereof by a pressing force applied by the optical element.

Abstract: The present invention intends to provide a manufacturing method of a heat resistant micro-lens. The manufacturing method includes forming on a substrate an inorganic film having the optical transparency; forming, at positions that are on the inorganic film and correspond to lens formation positions, a resist films; etching a portion where the resist films are not formed of the inorganic film; removing the resist films that remain; and irradiating inert gas ions to the inorganic film from which the resist films are removed and that is patterned according to the etching.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a light controlling structure, generally referred to as a microlens or microlens array. For example, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a light controlling structure may be employed to provide a display screen.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a light controlling structure, generally referred to as a microlens or microlens array. The method including providing a bundle of optically transparent members; cutting the bundle of optically transparent members to form at least one sheet of optically transparent member segments; and heating the at least one end of the at least one sheet of optically transparent member segments to form lens surfaces thereon.

Abstract: Aqueous dispersion comprising silicon/titanium mixed oxide powder with a BET surface area of 5 to 500 m2/g which has been prepared by flame hydrolysis and has a titanium dioxide content of 0.5 to 20 wt. %, based on the powder, water and at least one pH-regulating substance which can be removed completely from the reaction mixture on heating, the aqueous dispersion having a solids content of between 40 and 80 wt. %. A green body produced therefrom with a green density of between 40 and 85%. A shaped glass article of optical quality with a coefficient of thermal expansion of not more than 0.5×10?6/K produced from the green body.

Abstract: Provided is a high-precision holder-mounted optical element that makes it possible to correct a volume error of an optical element material. In a holder-mounted optical element 1 where an optical element 20 is accommodated into a cylindrical holder 10, the holder 10 has a thin deformation portion 12 that is deformed by the pressure applied from the inner circumferential side thereof and a surplus portion 21a, which press-contacts with the deformation portion 12, is formed in the optical element 20.

Abstract: Described is an assembly which includes a housing and a window member therein. Also, described is a method and system for manufacturing such assembly. In particular, a first part and a second part are approximated into a molding configuration to create a first mold therebetween. The first mold includes first and second molding cavities. When the first and second parts are in the molding configuration, the second molding cavity is sealed with respect to the first molding cavity. Then, a first molding material is added into the first molding cavity to create a housing. A window member is inserted into the second molding cavity. The second part is replaced with a third part to form a second mold including a third molding cavity surrounding a perimeter of the window member. Subsequently, a second molding material is added to the third molding cavity to create a seal surrounding the perimeter of the window member.

Abstract: A method of forming an array of optical elements for use in transmitting information includes using glass compression molding to form a plurality of discrete microlens element using a glass compression molding technique; placing each discrete microlens element in a mold cavity and aligning each microlens element in a predetermined location arranged in the form of a linear or two dimensional array; and molding by injection thermo-setting material into the cavity around each microlens element and cooling such thermo-setting material to form an integral array of optical elements that are retained in their respective locations.

Abstract: A method for molding a chalcogenide glass lens includes providing a mold. A preformed lens of chalcogenide glass is placed within the mold. The lens has a top surface and a bottom surface. An amount of chalcogenide glass is deposited within the mold and on the top surface of the preformed lens. The mold is heated, such that the chalcogenide glass on the top surface of the preformed lens softens, melts, and bonds to the top surface of the preformed lens. A lens surface is formed in the melted chalcogenide glass to form a molded lens which is bonded to the top surface of the preformed lens. The molded lens and preformed lens assembly is then removed from the mold.

Abstract: A method of floating glass gobs by means of a gas flow. A method of manufacturing glass gobs by floating a molten glass gob and simultaneously cooling it. A method of manufacturing glass spheres by floating a softened glass gob and simultaneously rendering it spherical. These methods employ a device having a depression for floating and holding a glass gob or the like, with a gas flow being supplied along all or part of the inner surface of the depression from the opening side of the depression toward the bottom. A manufacturing method comprising the steps of adjusting a glass gob to a temperature suited to press molding while floating said glass gob by means of a gas flow injected along part or all of the depression-shaped forming surface of a lower mold from the opening side of the lower mold toward the bottom of the lower mold; and a step of press forming the glass gob.

Abstract: A method for fabricating gradient-index rods and rod arrays. A central rod of optical glass having predetermined properties and predetermined outside dimensions is placed inside a tube of optical glass having predetermined properties and predetermined outside dimensions, to form an assembly. The inside dimensions of the tube are substantially equal to the outside dimensions of the rod. The tube is formed of a plurality of coaxial sleeves, the outside dimensions of each interior sleeve being substantially equal to the inside dimensions of the next adjacent sleeve, each sleeve having a selected refractive index so that, together with the tube, the refractive indices from the central rod through the outermost sleeve approximate the refractive index profile of the gradient-index rod to be fabricated. The central rod and sleeve material is selected so that their respective thermal indices of expansion are substantially equal.

Abstract: Methods for producing high purity fused silica (HPFS) glass having desired levels of dissolved hydrogen are provided. The methods involve measuring the level of hydrogen in the cavity of the furnace used to produce the glass and controlling the pressure within the furnace and/or gas flows to the furnace's burners so that the measured concentration has a desired value. In this way, the level of dissolved hydrogen in the glass can be controlled since, as shown in FIG. 3, there is a direct correlation between the hydrogen concentration in the cavity atmosphere and level of dissolved hydrogen in the glass.

Abstract: An optical member having a toric functional surface has a marking which is made by a configuration of a mold used to form the optical member. The marking is formed in the optical member outside an effective area of the functional surface of the optical member. In one embodiment, the optical member is an optical member for a scanning optical system.

Abstract: A dielectric lens is formed by laminating a plurality of dielectric sheets having different diameters along a focal axis of the lens. The first dielectric sheet is formed by injecting a dielectric material in a molten state at a predetermined pressure and cooling and solidifying the dielectric material. Each successive dielectric sheet is formed by injecting the dielectric material in a molten state on the preceding dielectric sheet and cooling and solidifying the dielectric material, so that each successive dielectric sheet and each immediately preceding dielectric sheet are fusion-bonded to each other.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a mold tool for molding optical elements is taught which comprises heating a mold tool blank made from a vitreous material to a temperature above the glass transition temperature of the vitreous material; generating an axial viscosity gradient in the mold tool blank; pressing a punch into an optical quality mold surface of the mold tool blank, the punch including a pressing surface with a predetermined geometry for forming an optical feature; cooling the mold tool blank to a temperature below the glass transition temperature of the material; and removing the punch from the mold tool blank thereby creating the optical feature in the optical quality mold surface. The axial viscosity gradient is achieved by creating an axial thermal gradient.

Abstract: A method for making working mold tools for use in a compression molding process for molding optical glass elements from high temperature glasses having Tg's in the range of from about 400° C. to about 850° C. An yttria aluminosilicate glass is fabricated by traditional melting and casting processes to thereby make an amorphous base material having a minimum apparent viscosity of 1015 poise at the temperature at which the optical glass elements are to be molded. A mold preform is made from the base material. A first surface figure for the optical element to be molded with the working mold tool is defined. A second surface figure for a master mold tool and a third surface figure for the working mold tool are computed based upon the first surface figure and the coefficients of thermal expansion of the optical element, the master mold tool, and the working mold tool, the temperature at which the working mold tool is molded, and the temperature at which the optical element is to be molded.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an optical head having a near-filed light generating element that condenses a luminous flux on an exit surface. The generating element has a reflecting or light intercepting film formed on the exit surface and is fixed to a holding member to form an optical head. A minute opening is then formed in the reflecting or light intercepting film by use of light emitted from a first or second light source.

Abstract: It is an object of this invention to provide a molding apparatus capable of obtaining an optical element of which both an optical functional surface and a lens mounting reference can be molded simultaneously and which has an appropriate lens thickness. In order to achieve this object, the apparatus includes a lower mold having one molding surface on its upper surface, a lower periphery regulating member for fitting on an outer surface of the lower mold to regulate an excess of a glass material swelling outward from the molding surface of the lower mold, an upper mold having the other molding surface on its lower surface, and an upper periphery regulating member for fitting on an outer surface of the upper mold to regulate the excess of the glass material swelling outward from the molding surface of the upper mold.

Abstract: A consolidated laser alignment and test station. In exemplary embodiments, equipment sufficient to perform complete dynamic testing and alignment of a laser transceiver unit is provided in one compact arrangement. As a result, cavity-box efficiency testing, dynamic open-interferometer alignment, dynamic open-case alignment, closed-case laser boresighting, and complete laser functionality and diagnostic testing can be carried out efficiently at a single location. Real-time diagnostic feedback relating to beam quality, radiometry, and temporal behavior is provided so that high-precision laser alignments and repairs can be made quickly and cost effectively. Customized test fixtures provide easy access to every level of the transceiver unit under test, and two cameras provide far-field, near-field, wide-field and receiver-field beam viewing.

Abstract: A method for producing a silica glass for photolithography, which comprises the following steps: jetting a starting material gas, an oxygen gas and a hydrogen gas from a burner and depositing and consolidating silica glass powder on a target to form an ingot having a growing direction, where the ingot is grown in such a manner that at least a part of glass synthesis face on the ingot having the silica glass powder deposited and consolidated is a plane substantially perpendicular to the growing direction of the ingot, thereby to obtain the ingot having a portion in which striae are substantially perpendicular to the growing direction of the ingot; and cutting out of the ingot the portion in which the striae are substantially perpendicular to the growing direction of the ingot, thereby to obtain a silica glass having striae which are substantially parallel to each other and are planar.

Abstract: A method of molding a glass element in which a glass material is heated and then press-molded between an upper mold and a lower mold when a temperature of the heated glass material reaches a predetermined temperature. A first cooling of the glass element is performed with the glass element in contact with the pair of molds until a temperature of the glass element is within a range of .+-.20.degree. C. of a glass transition point of the glass material while a pressure applied to the glass element by the upper and lower molds is gradually reduced until the pressure becomes 0 kg/cm.sup.2. Subsequently, a second cooling of the glass element is performed without the upper and lower molds contacting the patterned surface on the glass element. The upper mold has a bottom surface and a sidewall surface with a lowermost end portion of the side wall surface, adjacent the bottom surface, being inclined with respect to a central axis of the upper mold.

Abstract: The invention relates to lenses such as aspherical lenses and to a process for their manufacture. According to the invention, the lens is composed of a glass matrix including the constituents below in the following weight proportions:______________________________________ SiO.sub.2 65-85% Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 0-10% B.sub.2 O.sub.3 0-20% Li.sub.2 O + Na.sub.2 O + K.sub.2 O 3-20% CaO + MgO + BaO 1-15% FeO + Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3 0-0.1%, ______________________________________wherein the K.sub.2 O content is equal to or less than 1% and the BaO content is equal to or less than 1%.

Abstract: A lens device which can be used as an objective lens in an optical pickup apparatus includes an objective lens provided along a light path facing a disc and having a predetermined effective diameter, and light controlling means provided along the light path for controlling the light in an intermediate region between near and far axes of an incident light beam, thus providing a simplified and inexpensive device for using discs of differing thickness in a single disc drive, by reducing the spherical aberration effect.

Abstract: An ophthalmic filter material having a photopic transmittance (Y.sub.P) higher than the scotopic transmittance (Y.sub.S), the ratio of Y.sub.P :Y.sub.S being in the range of 2.0-4.0, a dominant wavelength within the ranges of 580-605 nm and a color purity of 60-75% whereby colors perceived through the material approximate those of the scene being viewed. A method of producing such a filter material which comprises heating a photochromic glass lens in a reducing atmosphere for a time and at a temperature that is sufficient to impart the recited characteristics to the glass surface and that is equivalent to a flowing hydrogen atmosphere, or immersing a tintable plastic solution in a dye solution for a time sufficient to impart the recited characteristics.

Abstract: A method is provided of manufacturing an optical element having an optical axis, and including a plurality of definable adjacent zones of optical material, each zone having a definable refractive index different from the refractive index of an adjacent zone and an Abbe number, the zones of optical materials being arranged parallel to each other to define a profile of refractive indices which is symmetric about a plane of symmetry along the optical axis of the element and parallel to the zones.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for producing vitreous optical elements by injection molding, which essentially includes the stages of: melting down a glass material into a molten state in a viscosity at or lower than a working point of the glass material; injecting molten glass under pressure into a mold cavity defined between transfer surfaces of relatively movable mold members of a mold assembly unit in communication with a sprue connecting the mold cavity with an injection port on the outer side of the mold assembly unit; and applying a predetermined pressure on the glass material in the mold cavity while cooling the mold assembly unit down to a temperature in the vicinity of yielding point of the glass material.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a lens with a lens barrel having a stopper by forming a uniform optical function coating on both lens surfaces. The method includes the steps of forming a first optical function coating on one side of a lens material, then inserting the lens material into a lens barrel so that the surface coated with the first optical function coating will face the long barrel side of the lens barrel, press molding lens surfaces by heating the lens material over its softening point, and finally forming a second optical function coating on the lens surface facing the short barrel side of the lens barrel.

Abstract: In forming a piano-convex lens from a column-like lens blank by heating the blank to a temperature higher than the transition temperature thereof and by pressurizing an upper die with a closed space formed between the blank and the upper die, there are alternately repeated operations of pressurizing the upper die and stopping the application of pressure thereto. Through the control of the amount of displacement of the upper die, the maximum pressure of gas in the closed space at each pressurizing step is so controlled: as to be low according to the surface viscosity of the blank to the extent that no local concave deformation in the surface of the blank is produced; and as to be high to the extent that gas caught in the closed space is discharged at each step of stopping the application of pressure.

Abstract: A thermoformed plastic laminar light-polarizing composite lens blank is produced from a laminate comprising a light-polarizing layer between polymeric layers. The absorption axis of the light-polarizing layer of the laminate is aligned to substantial parallelism with a principal index of refraction of the polymeric layer which forms the convex surface of the lens blank and which is birefringent, thereby to minimize retardation effects of the birefringent material on plane polarized light. The polymeric layer which forms the concave surface of the lens blank is substantially thicker than the opposed polymeric layer in order to accommodate grinding of the surface thereof to an ophthalmic prescription. Thermoforming of unitary portions cut from a supply of the laminate is performed under heat and pressure.

Abstract: An optical element manufactured by bonding a plurality of elements by hydrolysis product of alcoholate, metal acid ester or metal hydrate colloid, and a method for manufacturing the same are disclosed.

Abstract: An optical lens element is produced by the following steps of:preparing a glass pre-form;forming a metal thin layer or a powder layer, said metal thin layer including gold, platinum, rhodium, nickel, or palladium; andpressing the glass pre-form with the metal thin layer against molding surfaces to form the optical lens element.