Patent ID: 6032487
Filing Date: 2000-03-07
Classification: C03B,C03C

Abstract:
A process of fabricating a gradient index optical element, comprising steps of:dipping a wet gel prepared by gelation of a silicon component-containing sol in a solution containing at least one metal salt selected from a second metal component group consisting of barium, lanthanum, yttrium, gadolinium, strontium, calcium, and zinc to thereby obtain a wet gel in which said wet gel contains said metal salt;dehydrating the wet gel, and then dipping the wet gel in a solution containing an alkoxide of at least one metal component selected from a first metal component group consisting of titanium, niobium, tantalum, and zirconium or a derivative thereof to thereby impart to the wet gel a concentration gradient with a concentration of a first metal component decreasing from a periphery to a center of the wet gel while, at the same time, the wet gel is dehydrated;allowing at least one metal salt selected from said second metal component group consisting of barium, lanthanum, yttrium, gadolinium, strontium, calcium, and zinc to be dissolved out of the wet gel to thereby impart to the wet gel a concentration gradient with a concentration of a second metal component, said at least one metal component selected from said second metal component group increasing from the periphery to the center of the wet gel; anddrying and firing the wet gel.