Method of making a flexible lens
First Claim
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1. A method of making a long, flexible cylinder lens having diffraction limited optical characteristics, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a mold having a top surface shaped corresponding to a desired lens shape, wherein the desired lens shape forms a cylinder lens surface;
dispensing a curable optical material onto the top surface;
placing a long, thin, flexible structural layer onto the top surface, over the curable optical material to form a mold assembly;
curing, the mold assembly; and
removing the flexible lens from the mold top surface, wherein the flexible lens is capable of being flexed into at least a 180°
arc while maintaining its diffraction limited optical characteristics.
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Abstract
A method of making a long, thin, flexible lens. The method comprises the steps of providing a mold having a top surface shape corresponding to a desired lens shape. A curable optical material is dispenses onto the top surface. A thin, flexible structural layer is placed onto the top surface, over the curable optical material to form a mold assembly. The mold assembly is cured. The flexible lens is removed from the mold top surface. The flexible lens is capable of flexing in at least a 180° arc while maintaining its diffraction limited optical characteristics.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method of making a long, flexible cylinder lens having diffraction limited optical characteristics, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing a mold having a top surface shaped corresponding to a desired lens shape, wherein the desired lens shape forms a cylinder lens surface; dispensing a curable optical material onto the top surface; placing a long, thin, flexible structural layer onto the top surface, over the curable optical material to form a mold assembly; curing, the mold assembly; and removing the flexible lens from the mold top surface, wherein the flexible lens is capable of being flexed into at least a 180°
arc while maintaining its diffraction limited optical characteristics. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of making a long, thin, flexible lens having two formed lens surfaces, the flexible lens having diffraction limited optical characteristics, wherein the lens is at least several inches in length and is capable of being wrapped about a cylindrically shaped guide member, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing a first mold having a first mold surface which is shaped corresponding to a desired lens surface shape; dispensing a photopolymer onto the first mold surface; placing a long, thin, flexible structural member constructed of a polymeric material onto the first mold surface, over the photopolymer to form a first mold assembly; curing the first mold assembly to a desired degree; dispensing a photopolymer onto the first mold assembly; placing a second mold having a second mold surface onto the first mold assembly over the photopolymer to form a final mold assembly; curing the final mold assembly; and removing the long, thin, flexible lens from the final mold assembly, wherein the flexible lens is capable of being flexed into at least a 180°
arc while maintaining its diffraction limited optical characteristics. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification