Lens shaping device using a laser attenuator
First Claim
1. A device for modifying the surface of an optical element to vary its refractive power, the combination comprising:
- means for generating a laser beam, said laser beam having a central axis and an outer periphery;
laser energy attenuator means, aligned to intercept said laser beam, for varying the energy distribution of said laser beam between said central axis and said outer periphery of said laser beam without refracting said laser beam within said laser energy attenuator means; and
means for supporting the optical element in a position to intercept said laser beam after said laser beam has been intercepted by said laser energy attenuator means,said laser energy attenuator means including a laser energy absorbing optical lens-shaped portion having a central axis, and having an axial thickness that varies radially of said central axis thereof in a predetermined manner in proportion to the desired change in refractive power of the optical element.
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Abstract
A device for modifying the surface of an optical element including a laser beam and a laser energy attenuator. The attenuator varies the energy distribution of the laser beam radially of the beam, thereby etching the surface of the optical element in conformance with the varied energy distribution. In one embodiment, the attenuator includes a positive lens-shaped portion with a laser energy absorbing material therein, which results in etching a positive lens shape on the optical element. In a second embodiment, the attenuator includes a negative lens-shaped portion with a laser energy absorbing material therein, which results in etching a negative lens shape on the optical element. End caps for each of the positive and negative shaped portions have planar outer surfaces and the same refractive indexes as those portions, thereby preventing refraction of the laser beam upon its passing through the attenuator. The attenuator can be cooled as it absorbs the energy from the laser.
134 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A device for modifying the surface of an optical element to vary its refractive power, the combination comprising:
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means for generating a laser beam, said laser beam having a central axis and an outer periphery; laser energy attenuator means, aligned to intercept said laser beam, for varying the energy distribution of said laser beam between said central axis and said outer periphery of said laser beam without refracting said laser beam within said laser energy attenuator means; and means for supporting the optical element in a position to intercept said laser beam after said laser beam has been intercepted by said laser energy attenuator means, said laser energy attenuator means including a laser energy absorbing optical lens-shaped portion having a central axis, and having an axial thickness that varies radially of said central axis thereof in a predetermined manner in proportion to the desired change in refractive power of the optical element. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A device for modifying the surface of an optical element to vary its refractive power, the combination comprising:
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means for generating a laser beam, said laser beam having a central axis and an outer periphery; laser energy attenuator means, aligned to intercept said laser beam, for varying the energy distribution of said laser beam between said central axis and said outer periphery of said laser beam without refracting said laser beam within said laser energy attenuator means; and means for supporting the optical element in a position to intercept said laser beam after said laser beam has been intercepted by said laser energy attenuator means, said laser energy attenuator means including a laser energy absorbing optical portion in the shape of a lens having a central axis, having two opposed, regular surfaces intercepting said laser beam, at least one of said opposed surfaces being curved, and having an axial thickness that varies radially of said central axis thereof in a predetermined manner in proportion to the desired change in refractive power of the optical element. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method of modifying the surface of an optical element to vary its refractive power, comprising the steps of
generating a laser beam having a central axis and an outer periphery, varying the energy distribution of the laser beam between the central axis and the outer periphery thereof, and intercepting the varied laser beam with the optical element, the varying step including passing the laser beam through a lens-shaped optical portion.
Specification