Lenses and lens arrays
First Claim
1. In a method for forming at least one deposit upon a substrate which comprises directing, in a vacuum, a vapor phase of a substance, which substance is solid and transparent at ambient temperature, from at least one means providing a source of said substance in vapor phase through at least one hole in a mask to strike and essentially instantaneously solidify upon a substrate, the improvement comprising, spacing said mask between said substrate and said means providing a source and providing the mask with sufficient thickness such that a converging cone of said substance in vapor form is passed into said hole and a diverging cone of said substance is directed from said hole to said substrate to thereby deposit a lens and solid portions of said mask surrounding said hole intercept the directed substance and cause said deposit to assume a smooth convex surface facing said source to thereby form a lens with a convex face.
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Accused Products
Abstract
This invention relates to a method for preparing a lens or a lens array and apparatus for carrying out the method. The method comprises directing, in line of sight in a vacuum, the vapor of a substance, which is solid and transparent at ambient temperature, from a source of that vapor through a hole in a mask to form a deposit on a substrate. The mask is so positioned between the vapor source and the substrate that obscuration by the solid portions of the mask around the hole causes the deposit to assume a curved surface and function as a lens.
58 Citations
8 Claims
- 1. In a method for forming at least one deposit upon a substrate which comprises directing, in a vacuum, a vapor phase of a substance, which substance is solid and transparent at ambient temperature, from at least one means providing a source of said substance in vapor phase through at least one hole in a mask to strike and essentially instantaneously solidify upon a substrate, the improvement comprising, spacing said mask between said substrate and said means providing a source and providing the mask with sufficient thickness such that a converging cone of said substance in vapor form is passed into said hole and a diverging cone of said substance is directed from said hole to said substrate to thereby deposit a lens and solid portions of said mask surrounding said hole intercept the directed substance and cause said deposit to assume a smooth convex surface facing said source to thereby form a lens with a convex face.
Specification