Variable focal length micro lens array field curvature corrector

• US 6,556,349 B2
• Filed: 12/27/2000
• Issued: 04/29/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/27/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Cox, James Allen, Fritz, Bernard S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Epps, Georgia
• Assistant Examiner(s): SEYRAFI, SAEED HMT
• Application Number:
  US09/749,296
• Publication Number:
  US 20030011888A1
• Time in Patent Office: 853 Days
• Field of Search: 359/618, 359/619, 359/620, 359/621, 359/622, 359/623, 359/624, 359/625, 359/626, 359/628, 359/455, 359/718
• US Class Current: 359/626
• CPC Class Codes: B29D 11/00298 Producing lens arrays
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/12002 Three-dimensional structures
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/138 by using polymerisation
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4201 Packages, e.g. shape, construction, internal or external details
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4206 Optical features G02B6/4207, G02B6/421 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4214 the intermediate optical element having redirecting reflective means, e.g. mirrors, prisms for deflecting the radiation from horizontal to down- or upward direction toward a device G02B6/4246 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4249 comprising arrays of active devices and fibres
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 7/04 with mechanism for focusing or varying magnification
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 27/14627 Microlenses
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 31/02325 the optical elements not being integrated nor being directly associated with the device
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 31/02327 the optical elements being integrated or being directly associated to the device, e.g. back reflectors optical coatings H01L31/0216

Abstract

The present invention provides an optical system that includes an array of opto-electronic devices, an array of micro lenses, and a fore optic. The array of opto-electronic devices lie substantially along a plane, but the fore optic has a non-planar focal field. To compensate for the non-planar focal field of the fore optic, each opto-electronic device has a corresponding micro lens. Each micro lens has a focal length and/or separation distance that compensates for the non-planar focal field of the fore optic. As a result, light that is provided by the fore optic is reconfigured by the micro lenses to be substantially focused along the plane of the array of opto-electronic devices.

Claims

1. A focal field corrector comprising:

a first substrate having a first surface on one side that is substantially planar and a second surface on an opposite side that has a plurality of stepped-surfaces, wherein some of the surfaces of the plurality of surfaces are not situated in a plane relative to each other; and

a plurality of micro lenses wherein each micro lens is situated on a surface of said plurality of surfaces, and each micro lens is situated to compensate for a non-planar focal field of a fore lens to appear substantially planar at the first surface of said first substrate.

2. The focal field corrector of claim 1, wherein said substrate and plurality of micro lenses are substantially optically transparent.

3. The focal field corrector of claim 2 comprising:

a second substrate having a substantially planar first surface; and

a plurality of opto-electronic devices situated in the first surface of said second substrate; and

wherein the first surface of said first substrate is adjacent to the first surface of said second substrate.

4. The focal field corrector of claim 3, wherein said plurality of opto-electronic devices are emitters and/or detectors.

5. The adjuster of claim 3, wherein:

the first surface of the first substrate is substantially planar; and

the second surface of said second substrate is substantially planar.

6. An optical system comprising:

an array of opto-electronic devices provided substantially along a plane; and

an array of micro lenses disposed adjacent to the array of opto-electronic devices, at least some of the micro lenses not being situated in the same plane; and

wherein

the array of opto-electronic devices is fabricated on a first substrate;

the array of micro lenses is fabricated on a second substrate; and

the first substrate is adjacent to the second substrate.

7. An optical system according to claim 6, wherein a top surface of the second substrate includes a number of recessed surfaces that are non-planar, each receiving one or more of the micro lenses.

8. A focal field adjuster comprising:

an array of opto-electronic devices situated substantially in a plane on a first substrate and having a focal field;

an array of micro lenses proximate to said array of opto-electronic devices situated partially in a non-planar relationship so as to adjust the focal field;

wherein;

said array of micro lenses are situated on a second substrate;

the second substrate has first and second surfaces;

said array of micro lenses are situated on the first surface of the second substrate;

said array of opto-electronic devices is situated in a first surface of the first substrate; and

the second surface of the second substrate is attached to the first surface of the first substrate.