Hoya Corporation

Seiichi Shingaki

Yoshiyuki Asahara

Hiroyuki Sakai

Shigeaki Ohmi

Shin Nakayama

Shigeaki Omi

Tetsuro Izumitani

Kenji Nakagawa

Hiroyuki Sasai

Hiroshi Sakai

Refractive index distribution lenses may be made by forming refractive index distribution patterns in surfaces of two substrates. The patterns in the two substrates are made to be matching. Then, these surfaces of the two substrates are placed together with the patterns in the substrates coinciding. If the refractive index distribution patterns in the surfaces form semicylindrical lenses with parallel axes, the substrates may be put together so that the axes of the lenses in one substrate coincide with corresponding axes of semicylindrical lenses in the other substrate to form a rod lens array. If the refractive index distribution patterns in the two substrates are constant in directions parallel to the surfaces of these substrates but vary in the direction perpendicular to the surfaces, the surfaces of these substrates may be put together to form a slab lens.

Lenses having plural contiguous refractive index distribution substrates

A process for producing a transparent glass product having a refractive index gradient by the molecular stuffing method is described. A thallium compound is used as a dopant and, after a concentration gradient of the thallium dopant is formed, the porous glass product is heated up to the temperature region of 350.degree. to 550.degree. C. at a temperature-rising rate of 25.degree. to 150.degree. C./hour in a reducing gas atmosphere and then heat treated above 550.degree. C. in an inert gas atmosphere to collapse micropores in the porous glass product, thereby obtaining a glass product having a refractive index gradient which is transparent and free of light-scattering and coloration. The glass product is suitable as materials (preforms) for optical fibers or materials for rod-shaped lenses, particularly rod-shaped microlenses for microlens arrays and microlenses for coupling an optical fiber and a light source.

Process for producing transparent glass product having refractive index

A process for producing a glass product having .DELTA.n, the difference between the central and peripheral portions of the glass, greater than 0.04. This process utilizes a porous glass body which is produced via a phase separation technique. A dopant selected from the group consisting of (1) TlNO.sub.3, (2) TlNO.sub.3 and an alkali metal compound and (3) TlNO.sub.3, Pb(NO.sub.3).sub.2 and an alkali metal compound is then permeated into the micropores of the porous glass product. A concentration gradient of the dopant is then formed by leaching out a portion of the dopant from the micropores. After the dopant is solidified in the mircopores, the porous glass product is dried. A heat-treatment step then serves to collapse the micropores. A glass product having a gradient of refractive indices is therby obtained.

Process for producing glass product having gradient of refractive index

A process for the production of a slab-shaped lens having a gradient of refractive index only in the direction of thickness thereof is described, comprising stuffing a solution of dopant into micropores of a plate-shaped porous glass product with or without a heat-resistant film covered on both side surfaces thereof; unstuffing a part of the dopant to form a gradient of dopant concentration in the glass product; precipitating the dopant in the micropores; drying the porous glass product to evaporate the solvent remaining in the micropores; collapsing the micropores by applying a heat treatment to form a gradient of refractive index in the plate-shaped glass product; and when the side surfaces are not covered with the film, cutting off both side end portions of the plate-shaped glass product.

Process for the production of slab-shaped lens having gradient of

A process for producing a glass product having .DELTA.n, the difference between the central and peripheral portions of the glass, greater than 0.04. This process utilizes a porous glass body which is produced via a phase separation technique. A dopant selected from the group consisting of (1) TlNO.sub.3, (2) TlNO.sub.3 and an alkali metal compound and (3) TlNO.sub.3, Pb(NO.sub.3).sub.2 and an alkali metal compound is then permeated into the micropores of the porous glass product. A concentration gradient of the dopant is then formed by leaching out a portion of the dopant from the micropores. After the dopant is solidified in the micropores, the porous glass product is dried. A heat-treatment step then serves to collapse the micropores. A glass product having a gradient of refractive indices is thereby obtained.

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Tokyo, Japan

Seiichi Shingaki