Patent ID: 8007695
Filing Date: 2011-08-30
Classification: B29D,G02B

Abstract:
1. A method of fabricating at least one lens with improved surface smoothness, the method comprising the steps of: providing a substrate with a material layer on the substrate, making a hole in the material layer, providing a material from which the lens is to be made, depositing the lens material into the hole in the material layer, removing a portion of the substrate under the hole in which the lens material has been deposited, such that only the material layer surrounding the lens material is in contact with a perimeter of the lens material, heating the substrate to a temperature at which the lens material becomes molten and changes its shape to one of a plurality of lens shapes with its optical surfaces not being contacted by the substrate, and cooling the material layer and the lens material to room temperature to solidify the lens material and retain the lens shape, the shape of the lens and its optical surfaces being determined by a surface tension and contact angle between the heated lens material and the surrounding material layer in contact with the lens material.