Method of making an array of variable focal length microlenses
First Claim
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1. A method of making a mold for forming an array of microlenses having variable focal lengths, comprising:
- (a) forming an array of receptacles having generally polygonal apertures, wherein the receptacles are not all of equal depth;
(b) applying a shrinkable, hardenable liquid to the array of receptacles so that the receptacles are substantially filled with the liquid, whereby a plurality of menisci are formed in the receptacles; and
(c) shrinking and hardening the liquid to form a plurality of concave lens mold surfaces in the receptacles, wherein deeper concave lens surfaces will result from deeper receptacles and shallower concave lens surfaces will result from shallower receptacles, thereby forming a mold capable of forming a microlens array having variable focal lengths.
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Abstract
A method of making a microlens array where the microlenses have focal lengths which vary as a function of their geometric position in the array. The focal lengths of the microlenses at the center of the array are shorter than the microlenses at the periphery.
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Citations
8 Claims
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1. A method of making a mold for forming an array of microlenses having variable focal lengths, comprising:
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(a) forming an array of receptacles having generally polygonal apertures, wherein the receptacles are not all of equal depth; (b) applying a shrinkable, hardenable liquid to the array of receptacles so that the receptacles are substantially filled with the liquid, whereby a plurality of menisci are formed in the receptacles; and (c) shrinking and hardening the liquid to form a plurality of concave lens mold surfaces in the receptacles, wherein deeper concave lens surfaces will result from deeper receptacles and shallower concave lens surfaces will result from shallower receptacles, thereby forming a mold capable of forming a microlens array having variable focal lengths. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method of making an array of microlenses having variable focal lengths, comprising:
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(a) forming an array of receptacles having generally polygonal apertures, wherein the receptacles are not all of equal depth; (b) applying a shrinkable, hardenable liquid to the array of receptacles so that the receptacles are substantially filled with the liquid, whereby a plurality of menisci are formed in the receptacles; (c) shrinking and hardening the liquid to form a plurality of concave lens mold surfaces in the receptacles, wherein deeper concave lens surfaces will result from deeper receptacles and shallower concave lens surfaces will result from shallower receptacles, thereby forming a mold capable of forming a microlens array having a variable focal length; (d) applying a hardenable lens material to the array; and (e) hardening the lens material, thereby forming an array of microlenses having variable focal lengths.
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Specification