Patent ID: 7322215
Filing Date: 2008-01-29
Classification: C03B

Abstract:
1. A method of precision pressing a glass body to form an optical component of high quality, said method consisting of the steps of: a) providing a press mold comprising an upper mold part, a lower mold part and, optionally, a ring; b) receiving a glass body in the press mold so that the glass body is between the upper mold part and the lower mold part; c) applying a voltage across the glass body received in the press mold in step b); d) during the applying of the voltage across the glass body in step c), heating the press mold continuously to a press mold temperature above a sticking temperature (T e) after said glass body temperature reaches said press mold temperature above the sticking temperature (T f) in a second press stage following said first press stage simultaneously continuously decreasing said pressure applied to said glass body and reducing said press mold temperature; g) in a third press stage following said second press stage maintaining said pressure applied to said glass body constant at a pressure value reached at an end of said second press stage and maintaining said press mold temperature constant at a temperature value reached at an end of said second press stage; h) in a fourth press stage following said third press stage simultaneously lowering said press mold temperature and lowering said pressure applied to said glass body; and then i) removing the glass body from said press mold to thus obtain the optical component, wherein said optical component has deviations from predetermined dimensions that are smaller than 100 nm.