Patent ID: 6140632
Filing Date: 2000-10-31
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
A method for producing a spatially stratified optical system for use in the micron and submicron wavelength regime, comprising the steps of:a) selecting a suitable, spatially stratified profile of index of refraction to achieve an optical system having a desired performance;b) selecting an atomic/molecular species having a suitable index of refraction in a desired operational wavelength band;c) forming submicron pellets of said species; andd) placing said pellets into a host material while controlling the density of said placement, said density being varied to achieve a local index of refraction value for the optical system in accordance with said selected stratified profile, wherein the wavelength regime that the optical system is designed for is much greater than the characteristic scale of stratification, which in turn is much greater than the spatial size of said pellets, said optical system being much greater than the wavelengths in the wavelength regime.