Patent ID: 8110140

Claim:
A method of manufacturing an optical component composed of a ceramic in which one selected from ZnS, ZnSe, Ge or CaF 2 is the main constituent, the manufacturing method consisting essentially of: a molding step of either isostatically molding or die-pressing a raw-material powder of one selected from at least 97% ZnS, at least 99.99% ZnSe, at least 99.99% Ge or 99.5% CaF 2 into a green body; a sintering step of sintering said green body under conditions predetermined to render said green body into a sinter whose relative density is in the range of from 55 to 80% inclusive; and a compression molding step of setting said sinter into a mold made of one selected from glassy carbon, cemented carbide, SiC, Si 3 N 4 or graphite, and in the mold pressing and deforming said sinter into a net shape, and at the same time densifying said sinter to a post-pressing relative density of at least 99%.